Clear view that government doesn't want me: Amartya Sen


Posted on 23rd Feb 2015 11:38 am by mohit kumar

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) Nobel laureate Amartya Sen Friday said that despite Nalanda University Visitor, President Pranab Mukherjee, being in favour of his continuing as chancellor and the university governing board having immediately "minuted" its decision to select him, there was a "clear view" that the government does not want him.

Speaking to NDTV news channel, following his letter withdrawing his candidature as chancellor, he said: "If the Visitor is not unkeen on my candidature and it is not happening, there is a certain amount of evidence indicating that (the government does not want me) and if there is a clear view that government does not want me, it is evident."

He also said the minutes of the Nalanda governing board were "shared immediately, and the particular part dealing with the chancellor's term was not only adopted unanimously, and the board took a view that it is being minuted right now, so that there is no delay; and in the presence of Secretary (East) in the ministry of external affairs and the joint secretary Nalanda; that this is being minuted right now and it will be circulated".

He said the chancellor selection part was "already minuted on a special power of the board".

He said the entire minutes of the meeting went out two weeks ago "and got the response from everyone on the board, except the ministry of external affairs", he told the channel.

On his criticism of Narendra Modi before he became prime minister and of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sen said "as an Indian voter it is my liberty to like or not a candidate".

He clarified that the controversy was not "about my chancellorship but in the political interference in a matter of the board's power, which is to be signed on by the president; of turning an academic decision into a political one".

In his letter withdrawing his candidature, he wrote: "I understand that the Board's decision was conveyed to the Visitor in mid-January, immediately after the meeting of the Governing Board of the Nalanda University, drawing his attention to the urgency of the matter, since the planning and implementation of new teaching and research arrangements are proceeding rapidly in the newly functioning University.

"I have, therefore, decided that in the best interest of Nalanda University, I should exclude myself from being considered for continuing as Chancellor of Nalanda University beyond this July, despite the unanimous recommendation and urging of the Governing Board for me to continue. I take this opportunity also to thank the Governing Board very warmly for its confidence in me."

The external affairs ministry clarified that there was no attempt to curtail the tenure of Amartya Sen as chancellor of Nalanda University, a multi-nation initiative that began its academic session last September.

Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the ministry has not yet received the approved minutes of the meeting of the governing board of Nalanda University from the members, in order to forward it to the Visitor, the president of India, for approval.

Akbaruddin said the draft of the minutes of the meeting was received Feb 13 with a covering that it is to be approved in two weeks time. He said the approved minutes had not yet been received, and there was "still time".

Did you know?Explore Trending and Topic pages for more stories like this.
0 Like 0 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

SC quashes extension of OBC reservation to Jats

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the March 4, 2014 notification

WHO vaccine update: Coveshield is the 9th vaccine in the world to gain approval, know the status of Corona vaccine being made worldwide

There are currently 232 corona vaccines in operation worldwide. According to the WHO vaccine land

World Cup: Former chief selector selected Indian team for World Cup 2023, No. 1 spinner and dashing batsman out

Only days are left for the Asia Cup 2023. The Indian team has participated in the fitness test ca

GST Council meeting: Exemption from registration for small traders selling goods online on e-commerce platforms

The GST Council on Wednesday gave a major relief to small traders selling goods online through e-

Flood in Pakistan: Nine died due to infectious diseases spread in Pakistan, in the grip of these diseases in the flood-affected province

After the flood waters receded in Pakistan, now infectious diseases are spreading rapidly. Nine p

Battlegrounds Mobile India: These will be the conditions for playing the game, know when the Indian version of PUBG is launching

The excitement of the fans is increasing continuously regarding the launch of Battlegrounds Mobil

KKR vs SRH: BCCI Takes Action Against Abhishek Sharma; Uttering 'Obscene' Word During Match Proves Costly—Heavy Fine Imposed

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders, thereby opening their wi

Dispute erupts again on Assam-Arunachal border, both Chief Ministers met a few days ago

The chief ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh met a few days ago to discuss a "permanent sol

55 thousand cases occurred in 24 hours, this is the second-lowest in 54 days; 75.52 lakh cases so far

New cases of corona are steadily decreasing. On Sunday, 56 thousand 520 cases came, 66 thousand 4

Gorakhpur: Fifth accused in Manish murder case arrested, sub-inspector Vijay Yadav still absconding

Another accused policeman of the Kanpur businessman Manish Gupta murder case was arrested. Head c

Sign up to write
Sign up now if you have flare of writing..
Login   |   Register
Follow Us
Indyaspeak @ Facebook Indyaspeak @ Twitter Indyaspeak @ Pinterest RSS



Play Free Quiz and Win Cash