Politics at SPU-Mandi? Founding Pro-VC Anupama’s name missing from first-ever convocation invite
Played crucial role in establishment of university, securing Rs 20 cr grant from Centre
MANDI: Sardar Patel University-Mandi is embroiled in controversy yet again, this time over the omission of Pro Vice-Chancellor Anupama Singh’s name from the invitation for its first-ever convocation ceremony, scheduled for September 12, 2024.
The event, marking a significant milestone for the state’s second state-run university, which was founded in 2022, was eagerly awaited by the academic community. The ceremony will feature Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla as the chief guest, with Congress MLA from Dharampur Chandershekhar and IIT-Ropar Director Rajeev Ahuja attending the event as distinguished guests.
However, the spotlight has shifted to a glaring omission — Pro Vice-Chancellor Anupama Singh’s absence from the convocation invite, a move many are viewing as a “deliberate snub with political undertones”.
Name of Registrar Verma included
The invitation card, prepared under the supervision of Vice Chancellor Lalit Awashthi, features his name prominently alongside the university’s Registrar, Sunil Verma. However, conspicuously absent from the invitation is the name of the university’s second-highest official, Pro Vice Chancellor Anupama Singh, a respected academic and one of the founding members of the institution.
This omission has sparked widespread debate within academic and political circles, with speculation rife that Anupama’s exclusion is a result of her appointment during the previous BJP government. Sources suggest that the current administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Lalit Awashthi, may be sidelining the Pro Vice-Chancellor for political reasons, raising serious concerns about the politicisation of educational institutions.
Secured Rs 20 cr grant from Centre
Anupama was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor in April 2022 and played an instrumental role in establishing Sardar Patel University. During her two-year tenure, she steered the university through a critical period of financial instability and bureaucratic challenges.
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Her leadership helped secure the university’s 2(f) status within just two months — a process that typically takes up to two years — and brought in Rs 20 crore in infrastructure funding from the central government under the PM-USHA scheme. Sources in the university al
so claimed that she had been removed from key organising committees and kept away from important university functions, including the upcoming convocation ceremony.
Crucial role after varsity’s opening
Critics argue that the exclusion of Anupama from the convocation ceremony was not only an affront to her personally but also a blow to the institution’s integrity. She was at the forefront of defending the university when it was facing closure during the state’s political transition. Her efforts to keep the university running, despite immense pressure from various quarters, have been widely acknowledged across the state.
Vice-Chancellor Awasthi has come under criticism for his role in this controversy. Many are questioning why the Pro Vice-Chancellor, who has been pivotal in the university’s growth, has been excluded from such a landmark event. Some see this as a deliberate act of political retaliation, with critics accusing the Vice-Chancellor of undermining the university’s values by allowing political bias to influence key decisions.
What message, they ask, does this send to the academic community and the general public? Instead of fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect, the current leadership seems to be sowing division and sidelining those who do not align with their political affiliations.
Politics at play in academic institutions?
Public sentiment has also turned against the Vice-Chancellor and his administration. On social media and in academic forums, many are expressing outrage at the way Anupama has been treated, with some calling for an investigation into the matter. The perception that politics is being prioritised over merit and contributions is creating an atmosphere of mistrust and disillusionment within the university.
The exclusion of Anupama Singh from Sardar Patel University’s convocation ceremony has raised serious concerns about the influence of politics in the university’s administration. As questions about the Vice Chancellor’s motives and leadership style continue to circulate, the larger issue of political meddling in academic institutions remains at the forefront. For now, the spotlight is firmly on the university’s administration, and the public is waiting for answers.
