Mysuru: In a major embarrassment to University of Mysore (UoM), the State Government has nullified the University Syndicate’s decision to send Prof. B. Shivaraj on compulsory retirement and reinstated him to his Department.

In its order dated ED 102 UMV 2016, dated June 12, 2017, issued by N. Veerabrahmachari, Under Secretary to the Government, Department of Higher Education (Universities), the State Government has stated that it has nullified the Syndicate’s decision to send Prof. Shivaraj on compulsory retirement taken on Nov. 21, 2016. The order has been passed under the Karnataka State Universities Act of 2000 and has ordered the University to restore his service.

The order, the copy of which is with Star of Mysore, states that though Prof. Shivaraj had 90 days to submit his explanation he was not given a chance to do so and an ex-parte order was passed in just 40 days after an inquiry was ordered. It has also mentioned about Syndicate Member M.S.S. Kumar raising objections over the matter.

Reacting to the order, Prof. Shivaraj said that the University should have handled the issue in a responsible manner and added that he was seriously examining legal options.

Shivaraj also mentioned that the University cannot play with the reputation and dignity of a senior Professor.

It may be recalled that Prof. Shivaraj had been accused by the University of violating the University statute by ‘attacking’ Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa besides questioning  the earlier inquiry report in which he was held responsible for entering into MoU with University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran without following the statutes governing the recognition of foreign Universities approved by the Chancellor.

Prof. Shivaraj had also been charged for allegedly collecting Rs. 150 from each MBA student studying in all affiliated colleges of the University and the Outreach Centres recognised by the University to distribute course-wares developed by industrial experts.

Prof. Shivaraj has reported back to the Department (B.N. Bahadur Institute of Management Sciences) on June 17.

Reacting to the reinstatement of Prof. Shivaraj, former University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa told Star of Mysore, “I am ashamed to see what is happening in my University and the way the Higher Education Department is handling such issues. It is unfortunate to see that Prof. Shivaraj who was sent on compulsory retirement and who had many charges against him that was proved when a retired Judge had found him guilty of the charges is brought back.”