Uncanny one may
feel but allegations and counter-allegations are part of one’s professional and
survival politics. It is true at all levels – right from the boss at the top to
the lowest rung support staff. I have been the victim of several allegations in the last six years at Sikkim
University.
I joined Sikkim University
as founding member in the third week of August 2007 after resigning from my job
in New Delhi at the behest the founding Vice Chancellor. However, one of the strong
reasons to return back was an opportunity to be part of an institution building
process in a place located very near to my own home.
Starting a new
institution from its scratch is a formidable errand. The kinds of works that are
needed to be initially performed were diverse in nature- from clerical to
supervisory and programme related with little academic contents. Therefore,
it was not easy for me to endure newer challenges that I had never faced
before. I, however, made an effort to enjoy every bit of the challenges of Sikkim
University building process. I took every challenge as opportunity to learn further.
Except finance department, I was involved in almost every sphere of the
University building process. I was involved in the academics, administration,
admission, publication and examinations.
I was a true
supporter of my boss - the founding Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University. I did
only what my boss expected me to do. If my boss ordered me to use green colour instead
of yellow -which I had in-fact wordlessly preferred- in a particular university
brochure, I used to follow his order without uttering a word let alone arguing
on the rational of his decision. Even
the font type and size were to be decided by the boss. Neither there was time nor scope for us to
argue. We were moving very fast! ...organising
programmes, media conferences, inviting bigwigs, printing hell lot of
brochures, pamphlets and annual reports.
I, including
many of my first generation colleagues, was so confident on the leadership and
intelligence of our boss that we at times used to be at illusion that he
himself was Sikkim University. We
respected him from the core of our heart and believed whatever he did was for
our good and for the good of Sikkim.
I was one of the
favourites of my boss long before I joined Sikkim University. That was the
reason why he brought me to Sikkim University. I assisted him for about a decade in numerous
research projects which included Nathula
Trade Report and State Development
Report of Sikkim. Therefore, we understood each other much more than anyone
else at Sikkim University. Being a
favourite of a boss has its own merit and demerit. Import merit is that you can
influence your boss at the time of need and demerit is that you are most of the
time burdened with work.
My unflinching
support to my founding Vice Chancellor shook when he scolded me black and blue
on the basis of a complaint against me by a newly joined permanent staff
sometimes in October 2010. I was reminded that I was on contract and at the
disposal of my boss. Therefore, it was clear that I could be kicked out of
Sikkim University any time if he feels so. I regretted my decision to join Sikkim
University.
The background
of the complaint was that I was upset and had spoken my mind against the
decision of the Vice Chancellor to appoint management staff before appointing
us in permanent positions who had been working in SU since many years as
contractual staff. The newly joined gentleman was also part of the debate. He immediately took advantage of the
situation and complained against me with additional spices to the story. The
gentleman, however, failed to understand that it was a healthy public debate on
the decision of our boss and not a personal attack.
After a couple
of other misunderstandings and unwanted events, I gradually started distancing
away from my boss. Sooner than later, he
started assuming that I was working against him. Eventually, following
important allegations were labelled against me:
Agent
of the State
The first charge
against me was that I regularly pass confidential documents and important
information of Sikkim University to the State Government. The accusation was made by no other than the founding
vice chancellor himself and floated among selected officials of the University.
Till date I am unsure of the fact that
to whom in the State did I actually passed critical information of Sikkim
University. I am still searching for the
representative of the State Government that I had a deal with! I was also accused
for assisting/promoting strike by the Students’ Union of Sikkim who gheraod Sikkim University administrative
block during mid 2012.
Tribal
Issue
The second
accusation was in fact funny and had nothing to do with Sikkim University per se. I suddenly heard from one of my
senior colleagues in early 2012 that honourable vice chancellor informed him
that Vimal Khawas went to JNU and spread the rumour that he has taken admission
in JNU under a tribal quota and not through merit. I was amazed as well as amused to hear the
news. He completed his PhD from JNU
almost a decade before I joined the institution for my Post Graduate, which
means he is senior to me by almost two decades.
Why on earth will I talk about the nature of his admission in JNU? And
what is the use of spreading such rumour after two decades of his completion of
PhD and when he has already achieved so much?
God only knows the answer and he will punish me if I did it
nevertheless!
Informer
to the State Human Rights Commission
After the first
academic recruitment of Sikkim University in early 2012, many teachers who were
already working on contract for around three years were not selected for the
permanent positions. Some of the teachers who were dissatisfied with the
recruitment process filed case against University in the high court. Complaint
was also registered in the State Human Rights Commission for violation of human
rights. Eventually, State Human Rights Commission gave verdict in favour of the
disgruntled teachers and suggested action against the founding vice chancellor.
In the meetings that followed in the University, I was accused as one of the
important informants to the Commission passing vital University information.
Puja in the temple and distribution of Prasad/sweets in the University
Finally, the
most miserable of all accusations was that I was accused of spreading news
among the university community that I would offer puja in the temple and distribute sweets in the university when the
founding vice chancellor leaves university after completing his term. The rumour was manufactured and floated by
none other than the then second in command.
Besides, there
are other lighter accusations that I do not want to highlight at this point. The
fact, however, is that I did nothing of what I was accused of. I can challenge any of the accusations,
anywhere and anytime. I had problems
with the style of working of my former boss towards the end of his term but
that does not mean I worked against him or Sikkim University.
Such accusations were made against me only to humiliate and
humble me because I had started to raise my voice when not satisfied with the
decisions of the higher authorities. 
