New Delhi (Agency): West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose declared on September 7, 2023, that he is committed to eradicating corruption and violence in the state’s universities. This comes at a time when the governor and the state government are in a disagreement over the appointments of interim vice-chancellors (VCs) at several state universities. Bose also serves as the Chancellor of all state universities in West Bengal.
In a video message, Bose said that he had made the interim appointments after the Supreme Court ruled against some of the VCs previously appointed by the state government. He claimed that five of the interim VCs had resigned due to “threats” and “pressure” from various quarters.
“The Hon’ble Supreme Court has ordered you (higher education department)… your action was held illegal,” Bose said, defending his authority to appoint interim VCs. He also cited that the high court observed his actions were “right.”
The governor elaborated on the allegations against some of the earlier VCs, including claims of “corruption,” “sexual harassment,” and “political interference.” He stated, “I want universities in the state to be free of violence, free of corruption and be the best in India.”
Bose’s remarks follow criticism from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who accused him of interfering with the state’s educational system. She threatened to halt funding to universities if they followed the governor’s directions.
In the wake of these tensions, Bose vowed to continue fighting for a “corruption-free academia,” invoking the names of Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Swami Vivekananda. He also mentioned the recent tragic death of a 17-year-old student at Jadavpur University, calling it a “saddest moment of campus cannibalism.”
While promising to combat these challenges, the governor emphasized the value of Bengal’s younger generation, stating they are the state’s “biggest asset.” He said, “I wish to see a Bengal whose talent pool of students and learned professors take our universities to the top rung, make our universities as the best in the country.”