Save the Autonomy of Universities of Odisha

To,  

The Honourable Governor of Odisha    

Subject: Save the autonomy of Universities  

Respected Sir,  

When the whole nation was preparing to observe the Teachers’ Day, the Government of Odisha (GoO) notified The Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 on September 04, 2020.

We are constrained to submit that with the amendments proposed the autonomy of universities has been compromised and the democratic space for governance within the universities has been almost reduced to nullity. At the same time this amendment has enlarged the role of the government in the affairs of the University.

The abolition of Senate from the University Act is an evidence of this. According to the University Grants Commission the Senate is a 'social forum where the University' s performance is reviewed and appraised, further it gives a semblance of democratization of the University administration and societal participation in its management. Perhaps, the Senate is a unique open house, wherein we can get social feedback about the university from a wider section of the community. " (Hand Book For Vice-chancellors, UGC, Sept. 2019, p. 80). The abolition of Senate is in conflict with the generally accepted model of a University.  

The Syndicate has been stuffed with a greater number of government nominees and government ex-officio members. According to the UGC, "When the Syndicate is thus in virtual control of the government nominees and government ex-officio members, the University Autonomy is practically impaired." (Hand Book For Vice-chancellors, UGC, Sept. 2019, p. 81)  

This Ordinance has ensured the government's direct intervention in the selection of the Vice-Chancellor, by adding a provision to include its nominee in the search committee for the selection of the Vice-chancellor and limited the choice of the Chancellor's nominee to retired bureaucrat not below the rank of the Chief Secretary.  

The Ordinance undermines the autonomy of the universities by taking away the power to recruit university teachers and non-teaching employees and entrusts the selection to the Odisha Public Service Commission and State Selection Board respectively. One wonders, if the procedure followed by the OPSC will not be in conflict with the procedures laid down by the UGC regulations for the selection of the University teachers. If there is any contravention of the regulations, the prospect of Universities loosing the UGC grants can not be ruled out.  

The Ordinance repeals the Ravenshaw University Act 2005 which amounts to ignoring the heritage of higher education in Odisha and the unique role this institution has been playing for the last one and half century. This institution is Alma mater of many illustrious sons of Odisha like Gopabandhu Das, Nabakrushna Chaudhuri, Harekrushna Mahatab, Bjju Patnaik and many others who played significant role in creating modern Odisha. So, to have an independent Act for this Institution is a tribute to these makers of modern Odisha and tribute to the heritage of higher education in Odisha which grew around this Institution. The distinction between the unitary Universities and affiliating Universities should be clearly understood.  

In view of the above submissions, we urge upon you to repeal the Ordinance and restore the autonomy and democratic space of the Universities of Odisha.  

We conclude with following words, said in the report of the Education Commission prepared under the Chairmanship of Sarvapalli Radhakrishan almost seveny years ago, that "Higher Education is, undoubtedly, an obligation of the State but the State aid is not to be confused with State control over academic policies and practices. Intellectual progress demands the maintenance of the spirit of free inquiry. The pursuit and practice of truth regardless of consequences has been the ambition of Universities. "  

You will appreciate our concerns, which not only raises concern over the present generation, but also aims to safeguard the interest of the future generations, and intervene accordingly.  

With kind regards,  

Professor Birendra Nayak, President, All India Save Education Committee, Odisha

Dr. Ramesh Chandra Nayak,  Secretary, All India Save Education Committee, Odisha  

Copy to :

The President of India             

The Prime Minister of India            

The Education Minister of India             

The Chief Minister of Odisha             

The Minister, Higher Education Minister of Odisha            

The, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Odisha            

The Secretary, University Grants Commission, New Delhi            

The Members of Parliament from Odisha           

The Members of Legislative assembly of Odisha  

Dr. Ramesh Chandra Nayak,  Secretary, All India Save Education Committee, Odisha    Contact the author of the petition