The Nagaland University Teachers’ Association in its Central Executive Council, NUTA meeting has resolved to demand an immediate Public Apology from Dr.E.Renphamo Lotha ,within one week or face legal proceedings, for the defamatory’ racist, false and baseless allegations on the University Teachers and serious distortion of facts regarding the crisis in the University in his article “Peaceful co-existence of Nagaland Central University” published in local dailies from 10th September 2010, successively.
The NUTA has always acknowledged freedom of expression and constructive criticism, but will not accept defamatory and false allegations on Teachers, and distortion of facts about the issues raised by the Association. Therefore, we hereby clarify the distortion of facts on following points, with reference to the said article:
1. The Lecturers of Nagaland University at the transition period were not new teachers (as claimed by Renphamo Lotha) as all of them, including the Naga Teachers, were senior teachers of North Eastern Hill University, who had opted for the new University. These teachers have testified that the statements made by Mr. Renphamo are false, as he did not play any role in the resolution of crisis over the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor. The opposition to the appointment of Late Prof. Yanger Ao, was based on inefficient track record of his tenure as Director, Higher Education, Government of Nagaland.
2. Late Dr. Anthony Patton did not come after Late Prof. Yanger Ao, as claimed by E. R. Lotha. He came on deputation as Pro Vice Chancellor, from NEHU during the tenure of Late Prof. Yanger Ao, but left disheartened after one year, as he was unable to change the corrupt administrative system of the University.
3. It is highly objectionable that E.R.Lotha claims that “owing to conflicts without proper reason by the teaching staff” successive Vice Chancellors could not put Nagaland University into proper shape. It is shocking, that inspite of the wide publicity on valid issues raised by NUTA through the media, E.R.Lotha has feigned ignorance. The protest by teachers and students on appointment of second VC, Prof.G.D.Sharma was because he was appointed outside the panel of candidates, through the back door. Based on serious irregularities of corruption, manipulation, nepotism and violation of University Act and Statutes raised by the NUTA, Prof.G.D.Sharma and several Officers faced a UGC Fact Finding Committee, directed by the President of India and a Special Audit by Accountant General’s Office Nagaland, which was directed by the Comptroller Auditor General, New Delhi. The UGC Fact Finding Committee brought out a false and biased report, favouring the Vice Chancellor and others, which was objected to and rectified by the NUTA, in a joint sitting with the Ministry of Human Resource Development at Delhi. NUTA also submitted a demand that the 3 member UGC Fact Finding Committee team be penalized as per rules, for distortion of records and facts, which is on record. The Accountant General’s Office, Nagaland, in its Inspection Report 2006 on Nagaland University, vindicated NUTA’s stand and indicted several officers, including the Vice Chancellor Prof.G.D.Sharma, for illegal appointments of teachers and non teaching staff, corruption, mismanagement of funds, lack of internal auditing etc. This Inspection Report of the AG, also indicted the Vice Chancellor G.D.Sharma, and Screening Committee members - a former Chief Secretary of Nagaland and a top IAS Officer for violating University rules and ordinance and illegally condoning the ineligibility of the former Registrar of this University for appointment. Mr.E.R.Lotha must remember that Prof. G.D.Sharma’s resignation was accepted by the Visitor, President of India, four months before his tenure ended.
4. During the tenure of the present Vice Chancellor Prof.K.Kannan, the same serious irregularities have been raised by the NUTA. This has resulted in not only an Inquiry by the MHRD Fact Finding Committee directed by the Visitor, President of India, but also an Inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation, New Delhi, based on the findings of the Fact Finding Committee on corruption in this University. For the information of Mr.E.R.Lotha, Prof.Kannan was issued a ten days Show Cause Notice by the President of India for illegally canceling the valid selection of a Lecturer in the Department of Tenyidie and for illegally setting up the Institute of Engineering and Management in Dimapur, instead of Kohima Campus, as per the sanction by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
5. Successive Vice Chancellors, including Prof.Kannan have rampantly violated the Nagaland University Act, Statutes and Ordinance, indulged in financial corruption, nepotism, manipulation and this is the reason for the protests that continue till today in the University.
6. Among the three Vice Chancellors who have occupied the Chair, Prof. Kannan has proved he is no better than his predecessors, as he has failed in developing the University and showed scant respect for Teachers and the Nagas. He has proved time and again his ignorance of Central University rules and regulations as he is from a corporate background. Academically, Professor Kannan has totally destroyed this University. He has stopped Research Projects, funds for development kept in Fixed deposits without utilizations for the purpose sanctioned, PhD registrations of Scholars, including Naga scholars, denied and delayed, PhD results kept pending for two three years. He has denied Teachers to attend national and international conferences/seminars/workshops on many occasions, even though it is mandatory for University Teachers. The Institute of Engineering and Management was finally started through continuous pressure of NUTA and the MHRD, not at Prof.Kannan’s initiative So we question Mr.E.R.Lotha with what criteria he has assessed Prof.Kannan as the “best Vice Chancellor in actual performance”
7. Whatever activities Prof.Kannan is doing to gain publicity, it is being done in total neglect of his own university and students. The lack of academic facilities, shortage of hostels and amenities, internet connectivity, transport, inadequate books/references/journals in libraries are all serious issues depicting the true condition of the University and the inaction of this so called “ man of action” as described by E.R.Lotha. Further it is an insult to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, to compare Prof.Kannan to him, given the numerous reasons cited.
8. This is also to inform E.R,Lotha that the NUTA are not scared “Rats”, but we have belled many Cats. The false and biased CBI Inquiry Report on Prof.Kannan has been objected by the NUTA to the Visitor and the Director CBI. The CBI Inquiry Report has now been rejected by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi and sent back to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Therefore, till date, Prof.Kannan has not been cleared of charges, so Mr.E.R.Lotha must ascertain facts properly. There are FIRs registered against him in the North Police Station Kohima on corruption charges. There is a case under the Prevention of SC/ST Atrocities Act registered against Prof.Kannan by two Scheduled Tribe Naga University Teachers at the North Police Station, Kohima and with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, New Delhi. There is a case of Harassment at the Work Place by seven Naga Lady Teachers pending with the Nagaland State Women Commission against Prof.K.Kannan. These serious movements for justice, legal and otherwise by the Teachers is not an act of vengeance, as claimed by E.R.Lotha, but a fight for truth and justice. It is Prof. Kannan, who is on a spree of vendetta against leaders of the Teaching community by harassment, defamation, victimization and illegal suspensions till date. However, we believe, Time will come when justice and truth will prevail and all blind supporters of corruption and injustice, will hang their heads in shame.
9. It is highly questionable that E.R.Lotha is questioning the integrity and credibility of the Nagas who belong to the Scheduled Tribe. It is shocking that he is not aware, after working in the State service and concerned Department of Law/Justice, that the Constitution of India guarantees Equality to all citizens irrespective of caste, creed or gender. Naga scholars are not less than mainland scholars, and most of them are doing as well, if not better, in many parts of the country. Ninety five percent of the Naga Teachers in this University have entered service through Open category, competing with scholars from the rest of India, and not through the Scheduled Tribe category.
10. E.R.Lotha is totally ignorant of the appointment of Vice Chancellors in Central Universities, as per his write up. Today, in most Central Universities, Vice Chancellors appointments have become controversial as the best scholars are not being appointed, and many are appointed through back door, political pressure etc. They are not performing well and violating their own University Acts, and Nagaland University is no exception .Problems with Vice Chancellors have also erupted in Delhi University, Jamia Millia University, Mizoram University, North Eastern Hill University and currently Arunachal University ,where the VC Prof.Belliapa, has been forced to go on leave pending inquiry .as per rules. As per the latest new rules, from now on Vice Chancellors will only be chosen from the National Registry of Scholars, which will also include scholars from the North east and not through backdoor appointments, which has been the bane of many Universities.
11. The racist, derogatory and undermining remarks of E.R.Lotha on Naga scholars are totally unacceptable. Naga academicians and scholars have excelled in their own subjects and fields and earned gold medals and awards in various universities. In spite of the lack of academic facilities, and infrastructure, Naga scholars and students in Nagaland University have excelled in competing with others and earned laurels and Fellowships, both National and International.. Many of the Naga University Teachers are recognized Experts in their own fields and served in different capacities in the International, National, Regional and State level, till date, contributing to education, society and intellectual development. Questioning the credibility of the teaching community also shows that E.R.Lotha is totally ignorant of the kind of academic and extension activities Nagaland University teachers are involved in. Today, University education means stepping beyond boundaries and proving that there are no limits to education. No one is above inquiry and Vice Chancellors are not appointed to train Teachers, as stated by him, but to efficiently run a University, as per its rules. Why does E.R.Lotha want to advocate for the stunted growth of Naga Sholars and the Naga sensibility when he says “they must remain as children in theory and practical”. He must realize Naga Scholars and University Teachers have come of age and have proved themselves at the national and international arena. It is shocking such derogatory anti Naga racist remarks are coming from a senior Naga citizen, and that too, an educated one.
12. The fight of NUTA against corruption in this University is not a fight to occupy the Chair of Vice Chancellor, as claimed by E.R.Lotha. Our struggle is to cleanse the University system of corruption, streamline and develop it into a vibrant university, for the future generation, which must be clearly understood. This University belongs to us all and it is our duty and responsibility as Teachers to speak out and stand against corruption, injustice and violation of the University Act and its Statutes.
Therefore, E.R.Lotha’s article has clearly revealed that it is written with serious malafide intention to defame us.
The above mentioned clarifications have been issued by the NUTA, as Mr.E.R.Lotha’s write up has seriously damaged the name, integrity and credibility of the Teaching community of the University, including Naga Scholars. He has also seriously undermined the Naga sensibility through his racist statements.
Rosemary Dzuvichu
President ,CEC.NUTA
Dr.N.Venuh
Secretary General, CEC,NUTA
