With the exit of DHE, Principal Cachar College back in form, debars Ananda Ghosh from entering college

Aug. 31: Just with the exit of the DHE Assam from Silchar, Principal Cachar College, Siddhartha Shankar Nath comes back to his usual form. On Wednesday morning, he once again forbade Dr Ananda Chandra Ghosh, Asstt professor of the Department of Political Science to enter the college. In a strange decision, in March 2021, through a letter issued by the Principal, Dr Ghosh was asked not to enter the college premises on the ground of maintenance of academic atmosphere. Since then, though Dr Ghosh was debarred from entering college, yet he was paid full salary. Though in between, he tried to go inside the college premises, he was stopped at the main gate by the gateman.

On Tuesday, when DHE Assam, Dharmakanta Mili came for an enquiry against the Principal of Cachar College, Dr Ananda Ghosh came inside the college without any obstruction. As per reports, when DHE called the teachers to know their views, Dr Ghosh was also present along with his other colleagues inside the Principal’s room. Dr Ghosh too gave a written representation to the DHE Assam on that day. It was learnt that the DHE told Ananda Ghosh to come to college regularly. However, with the exit of the DHE Assam, Principal once again restricted the entry of Ananda Ghosh inside the college campus.

On Monday morning, the security guard of the college also closed the main gate. Immediately, Dr Ghosh sat for a protest demonstration just outside the main gate of the college. In solidarity, President of the ACTA Unit of Cachar College, Md. Samsuddin, Secretary Khajen Basumatary ACTA Zonal Secretary Hemanta Bora, other ACTA members Dr Ratan Kumar Das, Dr Sudip Das along with others stood near Dr Ananda Ghosh and expressed their solidarity to them.

Meanwhile, President of the Governing Body of the College, Sashankha Sekhar Dhar called Ratan Kumar Das and also had a talk with Ananda Ghosh. The GB President assured Dr Ghosh that a special GB Meeting shall be convened within 3 days and the issue will be resolved. On getting this positive assurance from the GB President, Ananda Ghosh temporarily suspended his agitation and went back at home.

Meanwhile, while speaking with the media, Dr Ananda Chandra Ghosh said, “I am really at a loss as to why I am debarred from entering the college. The Principal through a letter on 8 March, 2021 asked me not to enter the college citing a Governing Body Resolution dated 6 March, 2021:

“The G.B. reiterate its earlier stand against Sri Ananda Chandra Ghosh regarding immediate Suspension/ Transfer/ Termination resolved earlier vide Resolution No. 1 (b) & (c) dated 31/07/2020 & Resolution No. 1 (a) dated 08/10/2020 of GB meeting. Further Sri A.C Ghosh be debarred from entering in to the college until any communication received from the competent authority for upholding and restoration of smooth, healthy academic atmosphere in the college. However, he cannot leave the station without due permission from the competent authority .Further more he is to receive all kinds of communication from the college through peon book etc. and also he is asked to communicate with college authority through postal service (Speed Post).”

Dr Ghosh then filed a suit at Gauhati High Court in this regard. “The High Court vacated the resolution adopted by the GB. I went to the college in April 2021 and showed the High Court order, after which I was allowed to enter. I submitted a copy of the verdict along with an application and requested the Principal to allow me to resume normal functioning. The High Court specifically stated that it is not the GB or the Principal, but the appointing authority of college teachers is the DHE Assam. Any such action against college employees can only be taken by the DHE. However, the Principal dishonoured the verdict of the High Court and I was not allowed to enter the college. I was also paid my full salary.”

However, Ananda Ghosh alleged that in between for 2 months (January, February 2022), his salary was stopped, which was not disbursed till now. Again, from March 2022, his salary was regularised.

All such incidents have left a question mark on the functioning of the Principal.