Pune’s Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) is in the midst of a leadership crisis, with the recent removal of Chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal sparking tensions and controversy. On the surface, classes are proceeding as usual, but beneath the calm lies a whirlwind of conflicting opinions and legally binding contracts.
Sanyal’s removal, announced by the Servants of India Society (SIS), GIPE’s parent body, has been met with resistance from the interim Vice-Chancellor, Shankar Das. According to Das, the University Grants Commission (UGC) rules prevent the removal of the Chancellor, even by the appointing authority. “As per UGC rules, the Chancellor cannot be removed even by the appointing authority. He has been given a contract that cannot be terminated even by the issuing authority,” said a GIPE faculty member. SIS, on the other hand, claims that the appointing authority, which is the society, has the power to remove the Chancellor.
SIS Secretary Milind Deshmukh defended the society’s decision, citing Sanyal’s lack of involvement in the institute’s management. “He was not giving any time to look after the management. He should have visited GIPE once a week, a fortnight or a month to see what was happening,” Deshmukh said. Sanyal’s tenure was also marked by reports of irregular appointments and a failure to address NAAC accreditation issues, which resulted in the institute’s reputation suffering. Deshmukh emphasized that the decision was taken to ensure the betterment of the institute, and a new Chancellor, Justice SC Dharmadhikari, has been appointed.
Das, who has written a letter opposing Sanyal’s removal, expressed surprise and concern over the hasty decision. “I’m not very sure how this has happened so hastily and very abruptly. We have to really wait and see what guidance we get from the UGC,” he said. Das, who has been working to improve the institute’s infrastructure and faculty, emphasized his commitment to maintaining GIPE’s renowned reputation.
Justice Dharmadhikari, a retired judge of the Bombay High Court, has a strong connection to the Gandhian tradition, which aligns with GIPE’s principles. According to Deshmukh, his appointment is expected to revitalize the institute’s research and academic work. The retired judge, known for his love of table tennis and reading, has also worked for leprosy eradication and is a member of the Managing Committee of the High Court Library.
As GIPE navigates this challenging period, students are likely to be concerned about the impact on their education. Das assured that the institute will continue to maintain its focus on academic rigor, student happiness, and job placement. The appointment of a new Chancellor and the commitment of the leadership to improve the institute’s standing are promising developments, but only time will tell if these changes will bring about a positive transformation for GIPE.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/tension-brews-gipe-chancellors-removal-9925513/
Category : Cities,Pune
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Publish Date: 2025-04-04 22:27:00
