The Jharkhand State Universities teachers who had recently joined political parties are now getting the support of senior educationists. These university teachers are either member or representing any party in constituency candidate of a political party for the upcoming lok Sabha elections. Their involvement is being quoted as ‘admirable’ step by renowned academicians.
“We live in democratic nation where an intellectual has option to join politics during his teaching career. This interest must be favoured because only intellectuals can work towards the development of society considering the genuine hurdles,” Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr MP Pandey said.
Former VC of Kolhan University Salil Kumar Roy said, “If this political party joining is with the intention of gaining cheap popularity, it is surely not good for the society. But, if it is with the motive of serving the society then it must be encouraged.”
Similar were the words of Former VC of Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) Ravindra Bhagat who maintained that the selection of large number of university intellectuals at state and central government levels will help in judging what is correct or wrong for the public.
As many as 20 teachers of Ranchi University (RU) joined Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Saturday. The list includes some retired and a few serving faculty people. Ranchi College Principal Dr UC Mehta (father-in-law of All Jharkhand Students Union supremo Sudesh Kumar Mahto) is contesting for lS from Giridih. On the other hand, RU’S Registrar Amar Kumar Choudhary was trying to get a BJP seat ticket from Ranchi but failed to get one, claim sources.
“I have taken one month leave to get absorbed in the political atmosphere. For past 32 years, I have worked for the sake of students. It is now time to work for public affairs. Hopefully, our teaching experience will benefit them,” Mehta said.
Hesitating to speak over this matter, Choudhary said, “We scholars usually mix up with the locals easily while undergoing academic researches. In such scenario, it is obvious that our work would turn a public-advantage if given a scope as political leader.”
Notably, BJP Jharkhand unit president Ravindra Rai who filed his nomination from Koderma is an associate professor of history in a college under VBU. His representation as leader is appreciated by most of the locals.
However, Former RU VC Dr AA Khan and Former Pro-VC cum acting VC VP Sharan expressed this ‘political interest’ an ‘unethical effort’. “Teaching and Politics can never go at par. Though the code of conduct allows university teachers to join politics during service tenure but it is unjustified. University is indirectly influenced by political parties if teachers and students represent themselves as political leaders,” Khan said.
Sharan clearly stated, “Being human it is genuine to have inclination towards a specific political party. Joining due to this inclination is not favourable. The academic atmosphere is disturbed.”