Bengaluru: In a setback to the incumbent University of Mysore (UoM) Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday stayed the previous BJP Government’s order appointing him as the VC of UoM.
The HC issued the stay order while hearing a writ petition filed by another VC aspirant Prof. Sharath Anantamurthy (son of Jnanapith awardee writer late Prof. U.R. Ananthamurthy).
A single Judge bench of Justice E.S. Indiresh, while issuing the stay order, also served notices to the UoM Chancellor (The State Governor), Secretary of Higher Education Department, the UoM Search Committee and Prof. Lokanath.
Senior Advocate and former State Advocate-General Raviverma Kumar, who argued on behalf of Prof. Sharath Anantamurthy, contended that Prof. Lokanath has been appointed in violation of the Supreme Court ruling on appointment of VCs.
Maintaining that the name of Prof. Lokanath did not figure at all in the list prepared by the Department of Higher Education, Raviverma Kumar argued that Prof. Lokanath was appointed the VC in violation of the norms, despite the fact that he did not have the qualifications specified by the UGC, it is learnt.
After the hearing, Justice Indiresh issued the stay order.
Meanwhile, following the HC order, the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of all State-run Universities, is likely to appoint the senior most Dean of the UoM as Acting VC of UoM soon, according to sources.
Prof. Lokanath had taken over as the Regular VC of UoM on Mar. 24, 2023 from the then Acting VC Prof. Muzaffar H. Assadi, following his appointment by the then BJP Government.
Prof. Lokanath is a unique character. Lokanath did not have essential experience to become a Professor in Univ of Mysore.
His PhD boss Prof. Shashidhara Prasad (ex VC) appointed Lokanath as Professor. Remember the incident that prof Shashidharaprasad
was also removed from VC’s post (criminal case) with in 24 hrs by His Excellency Chancellor Kursheed Alam Khan. The education department mentioned that Lokanath is not eligible for VC’s post. Therefore, his name did not figure in the first of names for VC’s. Surprisingly, Lokanath’s name appeared in the second list, although Lokanath had a criminal case pending. Again shockingly, Lokanath was selected and appointed as VC of A grade UOM. How come the CM, EM, and principal education secretary remained silent about the outstanding bio-data of Lokanath. Surprisingly even the selection committee members were tight-lipped about the biodata of Lokanath and silently selected him. How come the previos VC, namely Hemanthkumar gave a clean chit to Lokanath while he was applying for VC’s post. So, one can understand very clearly that every one is involved in the selection of Lokanath as VC of UOM. This is a clear-cut case of cheating and dishonesty. More over, The selection committee Chairman mr. Shivakumar, although knew everything about this case, why he remained silent? The entire Universe knows about the bio-data of Lokanath. I sincerely request the present hon’ble CM, DCM and EM to take stern action about the case and recommend a genuine candidate as the VC of this prestigious hundred year old University.
His excellency, the Governor & Chancellor of Govt of Karnataka should remove the present VC of Univ of Mysore Dr Lokanath, immediately as Lokanath is involved in a criminal case. If one remembers, His excellency the governor and chancellor Kursheed alam Khan removed former VC Shashidharaprasad in 24 hrs of appointment, as Prasad was involved in a criminal case. I curse all those who are all involved in the selection of mr Lokanath as VC of this A grade hundred year old University.
It is very clear that former VC mr Hemanth Kumar, former CM Bommai, former EM Ashwathnarayana, and former & present Principal Edu Secretary for Higher education, and the selection committee members are all involved in the network for the selection of Mr Lokanath as VC. Severe action should be initiated on all these personalities and more so on the Principal Secretary for Higher education, GOK. it is a great shame to Univ of Mysore. Long live Mysore University.
Blame the chair of the selection committe Shivakumar, who himself, was not distinguished enough to be appointed as the chair for the selection of this top post.
Shashidara Prasad, the son of Javare Gowda, a second class BSc student, was given admission to the MSc course, when Javare Goda used his quota to push his son into the course. Javare Gowda, consistently cajoled the then HOD of Physics Department Prof Chandrasekhar, in ngiving him top marks, taking him as his research student and recommeding him for a post doc position in the USA.
It was a crying shame that Prof Chandrasekhar, a nephew of Sir CV Raman had to succumb to Javare Gowda instructions. That was his moral lapse. He could have got any job, as he was distinguished in his own right , afer working under Prof Bragg at Cambridge university.
It was also a crying shame that Prof CNR Rao, succumbed to the pressure of the then CM and the Vokkaliga politicians, and recommened Shashidara Prasad as the VC. He had no capabilities and hence failed miserbaly.
The best approach now for the Congress Government is to appoint a chair of the selection committee, OUTSIDE, FROM kARNATAKA. The name that comes to mind is Prof Venkat Rangan, the VC of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, who out of devotion to Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, who established this university, left his glittering professorial carrer in the USA, and has been with this university as the first VC for 2 decades now. Venkat Rangan was born, brought up and did his high school education and the pre university in Mysore, before joining the then IIT Madras as a student. Pure meritorious career. He will not stand nonsense as the previous chair Shivakumar did.
Shivakumar was an undistinguished pricicipal of the NIE, listeng and acting virtually as the slave to the governors of that institution, before moving to the VTU, then to that Reddy, private university. What a shame to select this low calibre person as the chair of selection committee for the UOM VC.
Former Higher education minister and the entire Higher education department, MS building, are responsible for this corrupt drama to select lokanath as VC. A Physics Professor bringing stay on another Physics Professor who was appointed as VC. What a contrast.