ABVP vows to disrupt Visvesvaraya Technological University convocation

The Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the biggest student organisation in the state, has threatened to stall the 2011 convocation of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) scheduled to be held in March.

Demanding inquiry into various controversies in VTU, the organisation said H Maheshappa, the university’s vice-chancellor, was not eligible for the post. “When there are many controversies and allegations surrounding the vice-chancellor, how can he sign the convocation certificates of graduates?” asked N Ravikumar, national secretary (Karnataka), ABVP.

The vice-chancellor should be kept out of the university till the inquiry was completed, said Ravikumar. “We want the government to retain the dignity of the university,” he said. A senior member of ABVP sought the cancellation of Maheshappa’s appointment as the university’s vice-chancellor. said the ABVP office-bearer.

The ABVP’s opposition to the vice-chancellor is due to two issues. One is the allegation against Maheshappa that he provided false educational details to Raj Bhavan at the time of his appointment.

The other issue raised by ABVP is the alleged malpractice at the university’s examination section in challenge re-evaluation. He said the organisation would chalk out the plan to disrupt the convocation once the date was finalised.