“CM should apologize for appointment of V-C who is fond of alcohol”


Ahmedabad, 4 September 2012

The state government has appointed Dr. Adesh Pal as a new Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University last week.

For last three days, the details about Mr. Pal we are reading in the local media are shocking.

It started with Gujarat Samachar which published a story mentioning Dr. Pal’s second marriage with his student, his hand-to-hand fight with a faculty in north Gujarat University and more.

The story also pointed out that Dr. Pal was one of the candidates for the post of Vice Chancellor in north Gujarat University, but Governor of Gujarat selected someone more favorable to Congress. Dr. Pal challenged this decision in the court. The BJP government which is not in good terms with the Governor liked this, and eventually appointed him as Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University – the university that has over 300 colleges affiliated with it, involving more than one lakh students.

Now today, the newspapers published from Ahmedabad are carrying Congress leader Narhari Amin’s press release which provides further shocking details on Mr. Pal.

-Mr. Pal was suspended twice during his sting as reader and professor.

-A police complaint was filed against him for alleged attack on a senior faculty Mr. Dave at Hemchandracharya North Gujarat university where he was head of the department of English.

-Gujarat has prohibition on consuming liquor, but Dr Adesh Pal has permit (no 21406) for consuming liquor which has been issued by the Superintendent of prohibition and excise in Patan. It permits him to buy three whisky bottles and 30 beer bottles in a month.

Narhari Amin in his statement says: “Gujarat CM has appointed person with the bad habit of drinking and betrayed the faith of lakhs of students and teachers associated with GU. The CM should apologize for appointment of Dr Pal and ask for his resignation immediately.”

When one of the Gujarati newspapers contacted Dr. Pal and asked his reaction, he said all allegations are baseless and there’s no truth in it.

But if there’s truth in it(it looks like there’s truth in it), then this is Gujarat government’s ‘Pratibha Patil’ type appointment, or even worse.

Gujarat University deserves better.