'Save Gujarat University' protest amid corruption allegations, students seek audit

India Today

a day ago

Members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), former syndicate members, and former students, are staging protests amid allegations of large-scale corruption at Gujarat University. The protesters, carrying posters and beating drums, accused the administration of irregularities in projects like the Rifle Club, Tennis Court, Convention Center, and Food Court. They have launched a "Save Gujarat University" campaign.A heavy police presence was deployed on campus as demonstrators sat outside Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta's office, raising slogans and demanding an audit. They have given the VC a 72-hour ultimatum to act, including filing FIRs against those involved.advertisementFormer syndicate member Indravijay Singh Gohil alleged that Gupta had broken a fixed deposit of Rs 150 crore out of the university's Rs 240 crore reserve for the first time in its history. He also claimed that the VC was appointing retired ONGC employees, allegedly linked to her husband, on salaries ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.Gohil further alleged that a syndicate member had demanded Rs 75 lakh from a university head of department, and that there was a recording of the incident.
He accused the university of handing over facilities to private agencies without tenders, citing the convention center renovation cost of Rs 35 crore—more than its original construction cost of Rs 30 crore—as an example.He also questioned why academy receipts for the tennis court were issued under a private name, with the university taking only 30 per cent of the profits.Gujarat Congress chief spokesperson, Manish Doshi, backed the protesters, saying corruption had increased after the implementation of the University Act. "Land is being given to private agencies without tender. FIRs must be filed and an independent audit conducted so that the truth comes out," he said.Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta rejected all allegations. She said the university had acted within four days on the Rs 75 lakh bribe matter by securing the resignation of the syndicate member involved. However, she noted that the FIR will have to be filed by those from whom the money was demanded.On the fixed deposit claim, Gupta said it was false and that "proof will be given" showing the fixed deposit amount remains unchanged.She denied handing over the sports academy to a private agency, explaining that tenders were invited but no bidders came forward, so the university runs it with outside coaching support. "70 percent of tennis court earnings go to coaching and maintenance; the remaining 30 percent goes to the university," she said.Gupta clarified that the convention center had been converted into Dhanvantri Hospital during Covid-19 and was now being restored as a convention hall at a cost of Rs 35 lakh, not Rs 35 crore. She dismissed the Rifle Club allegations as "AI-generated misinformation" and denied any Rs 5 lakh membership fee.The standoff continues, with protesters insisting on swift action and the university administration standing by its denials.- EndsMust Watch
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