BHU VC’s remarks on Malviya spark protests

Varanasi: Massive protests erupted on Banaras Hindu University campus on Thursday over vice chancellor Prof Rakesh Bhatnagar’s remarks on shortage of funds in which he made a reference to the university founder which students said were disparaging to Bharat Ratna Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya.
Students affiliated to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha (SCS) staged demonstrations across campus and demanded VC’s resignation.
An audio clip of a 16.15-minute telephonic conversation of Prof. Bhatnagar with a student leader Abhishek went viral on Wednesday.
In the call recording, Abhishek is heard demanding free treatment at BHU hospital, and reviving the old provision of issuing health cards again since students have to pay every time for consulting doctors.
In reply, Prof. Bhatnagar cites shortage of funds and says the UGC gives only Rs 60 crore to BHU per annum while just the annual electricity bill is Rs 66 crore.
The VC added that it’s not possible to provide free treatment or else the hospital would have to be closed.
“The Mahamana planted many saplings of mango trees on campus. If he would have planted some of currency notes, we would have given everything for free,” he added.
Prof. Bhatnagar further said he himself also pays to avail treatment at the hospital.
“The government is also facing financial constraints as tax collection is poor in Covid-19 period. There are chances that we might not get even Rs 60 crore in next session,” the VC said.
He added that even IIT-Kanpur is facing problems in paying salaries of teachers and staff, but assured that he would initiate dialogue to find a way for resolving the issue.
Different groups of students started collecting at various points in and around BHU in the morning despite closure of campus in view of Covid-19 crisis.
The ABVP activists staged a protest in front of VC’s residence, while NSUI staged a sit-in at the central office.
The SCS activists took out a procession and tried to burn the effigy of VC at the main gate in Lanka, but policemen foiled their bid. One group of students staged a protest by begging.
The students demanded removal of the VC for his remarks on Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya.
They said Mahamana founded the university by seeking donations, but instead of being grateful for his contribution the VC has made a statement, which hurts the sentiment of students and people.
In a bid to soothe tempers as protests continued, BHU issued a clarification saying the VC was trying to convince a student like a guardian and had been apprising him of the financial problems the university is facing as Covid-19 pandemic has made the situation even more complex.
BHU spokesman Rajesh Singh issued the statement quoting parts of the conversation between VC and a student leader and added that former had given examples and shared facts to make clear that the institution was facing increased financial pressure due to pandemic.
The entire conversation proves that the welfare of students is on top priority of the VC. It reflects how the head of the institute is always ready to listen to the grievances of students and tries to provide a solution, the statement added.