BU feud spirals: VC flags staff non-cooperation ‘via CM helpline’

Bhopal: In an unprecedented development in Madhya Pradesh’s higher education, Barkatullah University vice-chancellor Prof. Suresh Kumar Jain has allegedly sent a complaint against his own staff via the state govt’s CM Helpline, seeking direct intervention from CM Mohan Yadav.

This marks the first time a university head in the state has bypassed internal channels to escalate employee disputes to the chief executive’s office, signaling a deepening crisis at the prestigious Bhopal-based institution.

Prof. Jain, no stranger to controversy, alleged in his grievance that university employees are systematically defying his directives, hampering administrative functions and academic operations.

The complaint, submitted through the CM Helpline portal, highlights a breakdown in discipline and cooperation among staff, including non-compliance with key orders on promotions and routine governance.

When contacted, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jain clarified he had not filed any complaint with the Chief Minister. “I merely forwarded a copy of a letter addressed to the employees’ union to the Chief Minister. I did not make any complaint therein. I have no knowledge regarding the CM Helpline,” he stated.

Shown a copy of the complaint on the CM Helpline by TOI, Prof. Jain expressed surprise. “I did not know how it had reached there. I frequently send copies of correspondence exchanged with employees to the Chief Minister as well. That is all there is to it,” he added.

Notably, while Vice-Chancellors typically inform the Governor on such matters, routing employee correspondence to the Chief Minister is not standard practice.

This insubordination is paralyzing the university’s progress and undermining its reputation,” Prof. Jain stated in the letter, urging the CM for immediate relief and disciplinary action.

Sources close to the administration revealed that tensions have simmered for months, exacerbated by ongoing protests from employee unions over service conditions and alleged favoritism.

Barkatullah University, established in 1970 and known for its law, science, and management programs, has faced multiple issues under Prof. Jain’s tenure, including employee protest and infrastructure delays.

This escalation raises questions about governance in state universities, potentially setting a precedent for future internal conflicts. Observers warn it could further erode morale at Barkatullah, already under scrutiny from the UGC.
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