Prof Lella Karunyakara, who made an attempt to seize the role of vice-chancellor at Mahatma Gandhi Hindi University in Wardha, has been suspended from his position as a professor by the executive council of the Hindi university. This decision was taken due to his disobedience of a High Court order by taking over the vice-chancellor’s position.
Initially, Professor Karunyakara was appointed as the vice-chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University. However, his appointment was subsequently revoked, and Dr. Bhimraya Metri was appointed to the position instead.
However, the Nagpur Bench of the High Court overturned this decision and instructed the Union Ministry of Education to appoint a new vice-chancellor in accordance with the regulations.
Despite this, Professor Karunyakara arrived at the university on March 31 and took up the position of vice-chancellor. Upon learning of this, Registrar Dr. Dharvesh Katheria quickly intervened and requested Professor Karunyakara to provide a copy of the court order.
However, Professor Karunyakara arrogantly asserted that he did not require any order, as he deemed himself to be the rightful vice-chancellor.
Following this, Professor Karunyakara issued several orders, including one for the suspension of Registrar Dr. Katheria. Additionally, he canceled the executive council meeting convened by the Ministry of Education and appointed Dr. Amarendra Kumar Sharma as the new registrar.
Meanwhile, Professor Karunyakara appealed to the Supreme Court. However, the Apex Court dismissed his appeal. Following this, both the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Education directed the executive council of the university to determine Professor Dr. Karunyakara’s fate. As a result, the executive council suspended Professor Dr. Karunyakara from his position as professor/director of the Babasaheb Ambedkar Sido-Kanhu-Murmu Centre for Dalit and Tribal Studies to investigate the allegations against him.
Earlier, the Union Education Ministry, on April 5, directed the university to convene an urgent executive council meeting. Consequently, a show cause notice was issued to Professor Karunyakara, citing violations of the Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University Act, 1996 (3 of 1997), and the Code of Professional Conduct outlined in the UGC Regulations, 2018 (Code 26). However, Karunyakara failed to present his defense within the stipulated seven-day period.