BU Vice-Chancellor has resigned

Tiruchi: Bharathidasan University Vice-Chancellor C. Thangamuthu has resigned.University sources said Mr. Thangamuthu faxed a copy of the resignation letter to the office of the Chancellor and Governor Surjit Singh Barnala on Wednesday night before submitting his papers in person at Raj Bhavan on Thursday.Mr. Thangamuthu, whose term comes to an end on June 8, reportedly cited personal reasons for the sudden resignation.Senior professors of the university said on condition of anonymity that he was forced to resign because of "political pressure."

Incidentally, he resigned after meeting Minister for Higher Education K. Ponmudy who visited Tiruchi on Wednesday to address the graduation day of the Pavendar Bharathidasan College of Arts and Science.In accordance with the University Act, the charge of officiating responsibilities of the Vice-Chancellor was handed over to senior most faculty member, V. B. Athreya, Professor and Head, Department of Economics, until the formation of a Syndicate Sub-Committee to take over the responsibilities as a precursor to the appointment of the next Vice-Chancellor.

Sources said the Government would finalise its representative for the three-member Vice-Chancellor Search Committee in a couple of days.Representatives from the Senate and Syndicate have already been appointed.Since it is a vacancy caused by resignation, the Government could appoint the next Vice-Chancellor without waiting till June 8, when Mr. Thangamuthu's tenure was supposed to end.