First tribal university runs into problems
Even before beginning of its construction, the first tribal university of the country to be built at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh has run into problems.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Even before beginning of its construction, the first tribal university of the country to be built at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh has run into problems.
Prof Jose Verghese, who was chairman of the committee that drafted the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Act and was tipped to be appointed as the first vice chancellor of the central university, has decided not to take up the job.
"I have written a letter to HRD Minister Arjun Singh saying that I am not interested in the job," he said.
Verghese said he took the decision not to join the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University after he got the "impression of trouble ahead" because of the "apathetic attitude" of the state government towards the project.
He said his decision was also prompted by the perceived opposition of a certain section to a "Christian" becoming the Vice Chancellor of the institution in the tribal belt where religious conversion is a major issue.
"The atmosphere I saw there was indicative of trouble ahead for me if I take the job. Some local leaders told me they would oppose me because I am a Christian," he said.
Verghese's appointment to the post was cleared by the Ministry of HRD and DoPT and is currently before the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet for clearance.
The HRD Minister had laid the foundation stone of the institution on April 19. Verghese had attended the function.
"There I saw a complete different picture than what the Minister wants to do for the tribal people. There is a lot of money involved in the project. Some people are eyeing that also," he claimed.
Prof Jose Verghese, who was chairman of the committee that drafted the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Act and was tipped to be appointed as the first vice chancellor of the central university, has decided not to take up the job.
"I have written a letter to HRD Minister Arjun Singh saying that I am not interested in the job," he said.
Verghese said he took the decision not to join the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University after he got the "impression of trouble ahead" because of the "apathetic attitude" of the state government towards the project.
He said his decision was also prompted by the perceived opposition of a certain section to a "Christian" becoming the Vice Chancellor of the institution in the tribal belt where religious conversion is a major issue.
"The atmosphere I saw there was indicative of trouble ahead for me if I take the job. Some local leaders told me they would oppose me because I am a Christian," he said.
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Verghese's appointment to the post was cleared by the Ministry of HRD and DoPT and is currently before the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet for clearance.
The HRD Minister had laid the foundation stone of the institution on April 19. Verghese had attended the function.
"There I saw a complete different picture than what the Minister wants to do for the tribal people. There is a lot of money involved in the project. Some people are eyeing that also," he claimed.
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