Magadh University likely to get a new VC soon

GAYA: After almost nine months, the Magadh University (MU) is likely to get a regular VC as shortlisted aspirants for VC’s post have been called for interaction with the members of the selection committee at Raj Bhavan in Patna on September 11.
All these months, the university has been virtually running on an adhoc basis. The post has been lying vacant since Dec’2018 following Qamar Ahsan’s removal.
Many consider the post of MU VC to be jinxed as 24 of the 29 regular VCs of the 57-year-old university could not complete their three years long tenure as they either had to resign or removed from the post. Not only that, four of the ex-VCs had been to jail as well.
First it was pro-VC KN Paswan, who officiated as the VC in the absence of a regular VC. Subsequently in May 2019, Raj Bhavan, in an unprecedented manner got several MU officials removed including pro-VC Paswan, coordinator College Development Council Nalin Shastri and controller of exams Anand Singh.
After Paswan’s removal, Vieer Kuer Singh University Ara University (VKSU) VC DP Tiwari was asked to officiate as MU VC. Since then Prof Tiwari has been shuttling between Ara and Bodh Gaya.
Earlier, the post of VC was advertised and interested persons eligible for appointment as VC were to submit their applications before February 15. More than 100 applications were received and after short-listing, less than a dozen were invited for interaction with the three-member search committee.
For the first time, none of the candidate was found fit for appointment as MU VC and as such, the then governor-cum-chancellor Lalji Tandon ordered re-advertisement of the post. Following this, shortlisted candidates have been invited for interaction with the search committee.
Ex-VC Qamar Ahsan challenged his appointment through a writ petition in the Patna high court on the ground that he was removed in violation of the provisions of section 11 of the Bihar State Universities Act 1976 and also on the ground that he was denied natural justice as the removal order was passed in undue haste. Hearing of the case was completed in May 2019 and Justice Mohit Shah has reserved his order on the writ petition.