Refused fake certificate, student leader creates ruckus

ALLAHABAD: In a brazen act, a contestant for the post of AUSU president created a ruckus in the Centre of Globalization and Developmental Studies when the head of the department refused to give him a 'fake' certificate of 75% attendance.
Every candidate contesting AUSU polls this year has to enclose five affidavits at the time of submission of nomination forms.These include a certificate issued by the varsity's proctor, finance officer, controller of examination, head of the department and a certificate issued by the station officer under whose jurisdiction the candidate resides. The head of the department's certificate is a declaration that the student has above 75% attendance, a necessary requirement for contenting the polls.
On Wednesday, Kapil Yadav, who is contesting for the post of AUSU president approached the HoD, Centre of Globalization and Developmental Studies, Prof V P Singh, and sought the said certificate from the latter. While most of the head of departments have reportedly issued such certificates, despite the fact that in many cases, the candidates were irregular with their classes, the Singh refused to do so. Sources said Yadav has not attended even a single class, and this was why Singh refused to buckle under the pressure. Yadav is a student of 1st semester in the master in development studies course at the centre. After the pressure tactics failed, Yadav and his supporters not only allegedly misbehaved with the HoD but also threatened him of dire consequences if he did not issue the certificate.
Last year, the varsity authorities had relaxed the 75% attendance norm, allowing many student leaders with poor attendance to content the AUSU polls. But this year, no relaxation has been made, making student leaders use a combination of flattery and coercion to procure the certificate.
"I have mentioned in the certificate that the student concerned has zero attendance," said Prof Singh, adding, "I will not give any false information, whatever the consequence may be," he added.
The RO, Prof Ram Kripal said, "Cases where the attendance is short will be discussed at the meeting of the advisory committee."