An open letter to the VC.

FROM PANTUL KOTHARI – CEO INTEGRA ADVERTISING AND SENATE MEMBER FROM MANAGEMENT FACULTY- REGISTERED GRADUATES CONSTITUENCY

To, May 11, 2007
The Vice Chancellor
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
Vadodara

Dear Manoj,

Its been more then one and half decade since we studied together at the Arts Faculty.
If you remember those times and the atmosphere then, there are some pleasant memories. The environment academic as well as extra curricular, is something Manoj we surely remember with foundness. You always were the prim and proper, the ideal student – the academic one. And I was the happy go lucky care a damn types. Having my finger in every pie right from theater to debating to elections, everything but academics. While I remember the good student, Manoj of then, who was a man of few words and carried himself with dignity and respect. And there is the Manoj the VC of today who somehow has been taken over by his ambitions and forgotten what as a student he got from the University. He seems to be appointed by powers – his masters and he is in total control of them as a puppet. Your actions since the last few years are absolutely shocking.

When you joined as VC here I was elated and came to meet you assuring you of all my support. But then your actions – which I cant believe are yours – you seem to be working on instructions of your masters. Having little control of what you are doing. Since you have taken over MSU has gone from frying pan to fire. You are singularly responsible for accelerating the decline of this lovely institution. Manoj you seem to be controlled by a group who has no interest in the progress of the University and they just want to rule the system. In the name of safronisation they are into very dirty power play and are hell bent on messing up and you seem to be in their total control so that you can continue as the Vice Chancellor. You are doing ‘justice’ to your designation- vice chancellor – you are for sure giving loads of CHANCES to all the possible VICES in the University.

My friend haven’t you changed a lot? You still carry the fixed smile from student days. Only thing is that the pleasant smile of then is replaced by a devilish fixed smile which is always there- seemingly enjoying the rape of the University.

What happened at the Fine Arts Faculty is simply shocking and unbelievable. The issue is not whether what the student had displayed was right or wrong. It is a separate matter. The issue is that outside fanatics in the name of culture or religion come into the campus and disturb the sacrosanct examination process, abuse and threaten academicians and students. And the university refuses to act. It is such a shame that instead of filing an FIR for trespass of University property and threats to teachers you and your bunch of cronies actually asked the teachers to apologize! How much will you fall and stoop to what levels to please your bosses? How much will your masters dictate your actions and you be part of their devious plans? My friend is there not even an iota of conscience left inside you? Are you just not bothered of your actions? I understand you did not take any action for nearly7 hours when the goons were roaming and terrorizing the faculty and students. Hundreds of students exams work was on display and the pieces of art were under threat of being damaged. You did not even feel once that you should act immediately. The exams were being disrupted and you did not care at all. Your office members came finally at 9.30 odd when the police was finishing the sealing of the display- exactly at that time. Looks as if you were part of the entire plan and were hand in glove with the goons. In fact till date the University has not taken any action against the alleged trespass. Isnt it shocking and shamefull.

The university is under your authority – if anything went wrong on it – it was you who was to act. Not Niraj Jain or anyone else. Or is it that you do not have any authority on the campus? And so you allow outside powers to take control. Manoj have things come to this level? I am sure you are holding on to your fixed smile as you read the letter – as your actions or rather lack of them would have got you more complements from your masters. And assured you maybe of another term as VC so that they can continue with your active support, their vices on the campus.

It is shocking that on the campus – which is like a large family we have outsiders ruling and the VC- who is supposed to be a respectable figure, a father figure to the University is encouraging them and asking senior academicians to apologise! If you allow me to be personal, in your house if your child or wife don’t listen to you or are wrong and don’t fall in line with the ideology of your masters – do you sort it out or call up Niraj Jain or some other fanatics to come and handle them? Threaten them? Abuse your wife and children and then maybe get them arrested? Surely not. Similiarly please don’t allow such rot to set on the campus. Please wake up my friend please do so.

And of course one little question from me –incidentally I am a Jain who prays twice a day and doesn’t have to wear a saffron band or get into hooliganism to prove that he is a good Hindu. The question I would like to ask your masters- if they are genuinely worried about peoples sentiments and religious purity etc--- do they ever wonder that during Ganesh Chaturti every single hour and every single day--- there is kajra re or bidi jaliale or such shit being sung and people most of them drunk dancing in front of gods idols? Similiarly during Navratri in Most of Gujarat, there is disco and filmi songs being sung in the name of Ma Ambe- doesn’t it pinch the religious moral police then? Would they find one painting or two objectionable at a college exam – which is purely internal and don’t mind their cadres in thousand dancing to obscene songs for days together at the Ganesh Pandals? Or they don’t have the guts to object there as it would be anti populist and possibly this is easier meat and gives them more publicity.
In fact the Fine Arts Faculty has preserved the traditional Garba with an absolutely traditional form of Garba at its Faculty. That is culture. What positive work has been done by the Saffron Brigade for Hindus? Except negative and destructive activities. We hindus are acting like fanatic extremists- let your masters know a true Hindus feelings.

It is sad that in the name of religion society is being hijacked and people like you who are at responsible posts- are behaving so shamelessly. I have seen and heard how the elections to senate, syndicate, promotions, threats to professors, arm twisting of academicians are taking place at the University by the so called saffron brigade goons. It is really sad – worse that you are an active part of it.

I don’t subscribe to any kind of religious insults and fanaticism from any religion Hindu, Christian or Muslim. And I repeat the issue here is not of what the student displayed – whether it was right or wrong. That was for you the authorities to decide in a civilized manner. It is an issue of letting hooligans enter rule and escape without any action – possibly with you and your cronies active support. And the tragedy that you instead asked the academicians for apology. It is extremely sad and distressful to see an old friend work like this. I may have been harsh, but have no regrets as you are doing much worse to the university. You are actually encouraging gang rape of the University, ofcourse you are smiling then too. And the fact that anyone sensible raises a voice in the University you brand him as anti BJP. Believe me I have always been a BJP voter supporter – but what you are guys are doing is extremely disgusting and will lead to the destruction of the once great University. And I feel ashamed that the party I support from my heart is part of this destruction.

Dear Vice Chancellor – do free the university of its vices- let your conscious awaken and you be your own master. You be what I knew you about 20 years back. Please work positively without any political biases with only the interests of the University in mind. Lets bring it back to its glory. Everyone makes mistakes. But it is never to late to realize and correct them. Jab Jaage Tab Swara Hai. Being a Soni, I presume you are from a community of jewellers –learn to respect the jewel MSU and stop the damage my friend. I plead stop it in the name of humanity.


Yours truly,
Pantul Kothari
9327245662
Senate Member – Faculty of Management Registered Graduates Constituency