At a time when uncertainty looms large over admissions to Delhi University and the future of students, total confusion gripped the university on Tuesday afternoon as news of Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh’s resignation spread like wildfire.
What led to the confusion was the fact that while on one hand there was an official confirmation of the resignation, on the other Deputy Dean of Academics Sangeet Ragi came out of the VC’s residence and stated that the resignation had not been sent to the Visitor and was still under deliberation.
The news broke at 3 pm when Joint Dean of Students Welfare and Media Coordinator Malay Neerav sent a text message to the Press that the VC had resigned. However, no statement from the VC’s office regarding the matter was issued. Soon after the resignation, sources said that even the Pro Vice Chancellor Sudhish Pachauri, South Campus Director Umesh Rai and Dean of Colleges Malashri lal were planning to quit their positions.
Nothing was confirmed until the evening when the entire situation took a U-turn and confusion over the resignation prevailed. Activist Madhu Kishwar came out of the VC’s residence around 5 pm and was the first to claim that the VC had not resigned. She said: “Deliberate attempts are being made to malign the VC. He was threatened by the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Ved Prakash to resign. This situation is worse than a nightmare.”
While there was no form of communication from the VC on this matter, Neerav, who spread the news in the first place, was also nowhere to be seen. An official confirmation that the resignation had not been sent came in when Ragi came out and briefed the Press. “The VC has not sent his resignation. We have also appealed to him not to resign,” said Ragi.
This change of stance from the VC was said to be because of the pressure put on him by the Deans. Sources confirmed that the VC was definitely planning to resign. “The letter was ready as well, however, when the news came out in the media, all Deans went up to him to appeal against the resignation,” sources said.
Pachauri had also issued a statement in this context. He said: “Soon after we heard the news, we came together to meet the VC. We appealed to him not to take such a step. We urge the Government and the VC to take a mutually acceptable step for the benefit of the students.”
Additionally, JM Khurana, Dean Students Welfare said: “It is a very crucial time for the university and we need the VC to fight this battle with us. We request him not to resign right now as the university needs him.”
Meanwhile, as there was a shift of focus from the state of admissions to the resignation of the VC, a few anti-FYUP unions accused the VC of using his resignation as a gimmick to divert attention.