DIBRUGARH, Sept 24 � In the wake of strong reactions following the visit of All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to Dibrugarh University (DU) yesterday, the DU authorities today said that University was open for all and anyone could come and interact with students.
Regretting yesterday�s commotion within the University campus, Vice Chancellor Dr K K Deka told mediapersons today that there was nothing wrong in political leaders visiting the University to interact with students. When asked if BJP leader Varun Gandhi could hold similar programme in the University, Dr Deka said: � Let him come, we have no problem. All have the right to speak from here.�
Vice Chancellor Deka, Registrar Pradip Bhuyan, office bearers of Dibrugarh University Employees� Association and Dibrugarh University Officers� Association, besides a group of administrative officials of the University were present during a joint press meet organised at the Ranghar auditorium today. The Vice Chancellor and the Registrar sought to clarify during the press conference that they had informed the Dibrugarh University Post Graduate Students� Union (DUPGSU) regarding the visit of Congress leader on the evening of September 21and again on the following day. The students� body had alleged that they were not consulted at all.
Refuting all allegations the Vice Chancellor said that the University had not invited the AICC general secretary but had agreed to provide him the auditorium for his proposed
interactive programme. �We only provided him the auditorium. We were not the organisers,� he clarified. He said that the youth icon had come on his own and everything at the venue was arranged by the elite Special Protection Group.
On being asked why interested students from the University were denied entry into the auditorium for the interactive session despite producing their identity cards, the Vice Chancellor said that everything was managed by the SPGs. Further, replying to another question on the controversial �entry pass�, Dr Deka said he was not aware who was issuing such passes.
The Vice Chancellor lamented the alleged unruly behaviour of some of the students who, he said, had almost assaulted him near the administrative building after the departure of Rahul Gandhi. �They should have strong reason to seek my resignation. If at all there is any allegation, there are higher-ups who would decide my fate,� he told mediapersons.
About students who arrived from nearby colleges to attend Rahul Gandhi�s programme the Vice Chancellor said the University is not only for the students of the campus but also of the affiliated educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the Dibrugarh University Employees� Association and the Officers� Association today jointly condemned the alleged bid of the students of the University to manhandle the Vice Chancellor and appealed to them not to destroy the sanctity of the educational institute. They further expressed full confidence in the Vice Chancellor.
