Congress lawmaker Rahul Gandhi has found himself in hot water as at least 181 vice chancellors and academicians in an open letter criticised him for questioning the appointment and selection process of university heads amid the ongioing Lok Sabha elections.
In their letter, the academicians mentioned that they learned of Gandhi’s claim that the appointment of vice chancellors is made solely on the basis of affiliation with some organisation rather than on the basis of merit and qualification.
In the letter, they “categorically and unequivocally discarded such claims”, as the process by which vice chancellors are selected is characterised by a stringent, transparent, and rigorous procedure grounded on values of meritocracy, scholarly distinction, and integrity.
The letter further read that selection is completely based on academic and administrative prowess and with a vision to take universities forward.
“In our capacity as guardians of knowledge and administrators of academia, we maintain an unwavering commitment to maintaining the utmost levels of governance integrity, ethical behaviour, and institutional integrity. We encourage productive discourse and active participation from all relevant stakeholders, as we collaboratively strive to define the trajectory of Higher education in our country”, the letter stated.
Demanding action against the Congress scion, the academicians argued that the politician had resorted to falsehood and defamed the office of vice chancellors as a whole with criminal intent to derive political mileage out of it.
However, the academicians did not quote the specific remarks made by the former Congress chief, but Gandhi has in the past alleged that those who have affiliations with Rashrtiya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are often selected as vice chancellors.