BGSBU Crisis: A cordial ending, but some questions remain

A nearly week-long crisis at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, seemed to end on a happy note this morning after the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jawaid Iqbal, met the protesting faculty members who had launched a ‘fast-unto-death’ to press for their demand seeking revocation of suspension of an assistant professor, Dr Parvez Abdullah. It was heartening to see the BGSB University’s official ‘X’ handle announcing that “BGSBU is back to normal, fostering an environment of academic excellence and collaboration.” Calling it a “significant development”, the University said the “Vice-Chancellor met with the teaching fraternity and assured them of all possible support and cooperation for their welfare.”

According to the faculty, Dr Abdullah, also president of BGSBU Teachers’ Association, was suspended arbitrarily and illegally, while-as the University authorities maintained that “due process had been followed” which culminated in Abdullah’s suspension. While the truth in either case would be out in due course, and once the inquiry (if held freely, fairly and in a time-bound manner as assured by the Vice-Chancellor), it is a moment to pause and reflect, and find answers to some pressing questions that stare the University authorities in the face. Answering these questions can possibly be a beginning of “fostering an environment of collaboration” with the faculty that the worthy Vice-Chancellor has assured in his meeting with the teachers. It can also lead to a much-needed atmosphere of “support and cooperation” between the University administration and teachers which can go a long way to achieve the University’s cherished goal of academic excellence.

Now that the present crisis appears to be over, at least temporarily, the Vice-Chancellor may now do well to draw a roadmap on the University’s progression and growth, both in terms of academics and research, as well as infrastructure, all of which seems to be in doldrums in the mountainous University. The crisis surrounding Dr Abdullah’s suspension could well be the first opportunity for the Vice-Chancellor to realise this goal. As head of the institution, it would be incumbent upon Prof Jawaid Iqbal, who has himself been a teacher all through his academic career, to consider doing the following in the spirit of institutional welfare, and leave behind a great legacy:

1. The Vice-Chancellor may engage directly with the faculty on a monthly basis, or on a fortnightly basis, as is deemed appropriate, to listen to their concerns and foster and environment of trust and cooperation which seems to have eroded considerably over the last few years. This sustained dialogue could be a great enabler of understanding between the two sides that have vowed to work together for the welfare of the University.
2. No sane element would suggest giving a blind clean chit to Dr Abdullah on whatever the allegations against him. But a truly free and fair inquiry (heeding to professor’s version without any obstacles) would certainly enhance the Vice-Chancellor stature as well as strengthen the environment of trust and cooperation between the faculty and the administration under Prof Jawaid. Any element of unfairness in the ongoing inquiry only has the potential to create more distrust which shall only be detrimental for the progress of the University.

3. The worthy Vice-Chancellor, as well as the worthy Deputy Commissioner Rajouri (presently Registrar, BGSBU), may well inquire into the reasons that led to Dr Abdullah’s suspension. One moot question here would be: Whether communications mentioned in Dr Abdullah’s suspension order had the concurrence of the former Vice-Chancellor in writing? Or was it that some hanky-panky had been played by some hidden hands at their own level? The final result may be based on this. Alongside, it would be imperative for the Vice-Chancellor to evaluate whether the present crisis could have been averted?

4. Another moot question would be: Did the allegedly illegal promotions granted in the Nursing department, as mentioned in several media reports, contributed to the present crisis? If yes, why shouldn’t the worthy Vice-Chancellor write to the Honourable Chancellor to seek an inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Bureau or Crime Branch into the matter? Why should the Vice-Chancellor or the Registrar carry the burden of any illegality on their shoulders? If any wrong has been committed, why shouldn’t the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar rectify it and foster the culture of trust and understanding with the faculty members.

5. The Vice-Chancellor may well order an academic and infrastructure audit of the University, to be headed by academicians from other Universities, to analyse the status of academic programmes and infrastructure therein. This can lead to introduction of new programmes driven by market and Industry, while also helping in formulation of a new perspective plan for the University’s infrastructural growth.

6. Based purely on merit, the Vice-Chancellor may well to order promotion of faculty members, which have a right to grow like their counterparts elsewhere, while also working with the Offices of the Honourable Chancellor as well as the Honourable Pro-Chancellor to create more posts in administrative staff to further boost the administrative efficiency of the University. The University is presently working on a temporary arrangement at several key administrative positions which doesn’t augur well for its growth. It would be hence imperative to fill up these positions on a permanent basis for a dedicated oversight of its administrative affairs.

The worthy Vice-Chancellor, who has come from Aligarh Muslim University and has also been an alumnus of prestigious JNU, has struck a right chord today by meeting the faculty members. However, such a meeting must not be a one-off event to diffuse the crisis. It is only with dialogue and discussion that matters concerning institutions like Universities are addressed worldwide, with due space to dissenting voices. Confrontation with teachers is neither dignified, nor advisable, because it only breeds contempt. However, the onus to actively participate in this dialogue doesn’t lie on the administration alone. It lies on the teachers, who have, in their memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, already extended a hand of cooperation to further strengthen the University. The Vice-Chancellor just cannot afford to miss this great opportunity.