Subhshankar Sarkar, former Vice Chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University, has refused to take charge as the head of the inquiry committee formed by Jadavpur University. He informed the university management about his decision by sending an email on Saturday, August 22.
The university management had formed the inquiry committee to investigate several incidents that took place on the Jadavpur University campus on August 19 and 20. Subhshankar Sarkar was named as the chairman of this committee. Other members included Arunashis Goswami, Vice Chancellor of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University, and Soumendu Chattopadhyay, Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell at Presidency University.
On Saturday, the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh, a teachers organization of Jadavpur University, objected to making Subhshankar Sarkar the chairman. The organization alleged that questions were raised about his role in past teacher appointment controversies and demanded his removal from the leadership of the inquiry committee. However, according to sources, Sarkar had sent the email refusing the responsibility even before the objection by the teachers organization became public.
Sarkar's refusal to take up the role has raised questions about the future of the inquiry committee and its ability to start work. The main question before the university management is whether it will appoint a new chairman or change the entire structure of the committee. Due to the chairman refusing responsibility before the investigation could begin, the inquiry process at Jadavpur University faces renewed uncertainty.
