NLS students protest over admin possibly stacking EC against Sudhir vote with BCI members

Friday, 20 September 2019 By Legally India Law schools

The students of NLSIU Bangalore have started a protest today, abstaining from classes all day, after learning that its interim administration is (probably) planning to reshuffle the Executive Council (EC), potentially to oppose the swift appointment of new vice chancellor (VC) Prof Sudhir Krishnaswamy.

The word on campus is that the administration is intending to not invite the three special invitee Supreme Court judges to the next EC meeting scheduled for 28 September.

Instead the number of Bar Council of India (BCI) members on the EC would be increased from 7 to 8.

We have not been able to authoritatively confirm the full invite list to the next EC, and NLSIU registrar Prof OV Nandimath has not responded to requests for comments.

However, Nandimath had also not denied messages seeking comments on the above allegation.

We have also sent an email to acting vice chancellor Prof MK Ramesh requesting comment.

The SBA had sent an email to students yesterday, with the subject “Emergency GBM! Protest from Tomorrow!”:

Dear all,

Our alums just heard from a staff member that composition of the EC is being changed. Under the NLS statute the Registrar and the VC have a lot of say in the composition of the EC. Among the 6 SC judges (all of whom had approved Sudhir’s name), 3 are special invitees.

The plan is not to call any of the 3, move Hon’ble Justice Bobde from the EC to the General Council, and increase the BCI representatives from 7 to 8. If this were to happen, and we have it from a credible source that it most definitely will, there is no way Sudhir is getting the majority vote (which he for sure was if the composition had remained the same).

We have to take drastic steps now as we only have two working days before our exams start. Whatever needs to be done has to be done right now. We are an emergency GBM at 9:15 pm tonight. Please turn up.

P.S: The time has come for a protest now.

NLSIU BangaloreSudhir Krishnaswamystudent strike

Comments

Alum 20 Sept 2019, 10:46
+10 -0
Sudhir's tenure at NLS is going to be extremely rocky, to say the least. While the students want him to head the university, everyone else, including the faculty are less than keen on having Sudhir on board. I've seen the hot air comments here that promise Sudhir will change the very DNA of NLS, but it is hard to imagine this is possible given the absurdly obstructionist attitude of the admin.
Nostradamus 20 Sept 2019, 11:11
+6 -1
First let him get appointed. Then talk about his tenure. The way things are going, there may not even be an appointment.
SBA 20 Sept 2019, 11:29
+1 -0
https://m.facebook.com/nls.bangalore/

Videos of the meeting with the Admin have been uploaded.
Can’t Disclose 20 Sept 2019, 12:13
+2 -1
It’s confirmed that the special invitees are not coming again, Nandimath said it in as many words.
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 12:53
+5 -18
Dear Selfish NLSIU students, you refused to join hands with other NLUs and do a joint #NationaliseNLUs protest, thinking your college is too superior to be touched by this. Will you join in now, or do we have to wait until the Karnataka government passes the domicile law?
kianganz 20 Sept 2019, 14:46
+6 -0
On this point, which seems to be a bit of a meme / troll thing now. Please share whether anything substantial has actually been achieved by whoever is at the centre of the #NationaliseNLU movement? It seems like the government has shut the door on it pretty hard. Is there any NLU that is still actively involved in the core of the project?
Guest 23 Sept 2019, 03:40
+1 -0
Was there any NLU that was involved?
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 12:56
+3 -4
NLUD is praying that the EC wins and students lose. Then he will be NLUD VC (which is frankly better for both parties).
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 12:57
+0 -0
Now that eve NLSIU is protesting, will NLUJ finally do something? NLUJ is one of the few NLUs (among the older ones) which have never gone on strike against the VC. NALSAR did so against Veer Singh and NUJS did so against Ishwar Bhat.
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 13:01
+2 -9
Blatantly biased coverage by Legally India. You have been lobbying and taking sides from day 1. We demand that you release the letter where students and alumni lobbied by naming names of VC candidates. Is that ethical? What about conflict of interest of students and alumni???
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 14:34
+5 -0
Huh? Are you for real? What's unethical about students or alumni wanting an alumnus for VC? They weren't part of the decision-making body, they had full right to lobby for anyone they wanted to!
kianganz 20 Sept 2019, 14:43
+4 -0
Hehe.

1. We asked for more information from the alumns, but they weren't very helpful and never shared that letter.

2. Is it ethical? Presumably, yes, very much so. You could even argue that alumni have an ethical / fiduciary duty to take an interest in the process and the future of the institution. Please do point out any potential conflict you imagine though...
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 13:04
+3 -1
I laughed at seeing the NUJS SJA give a statement of support to NLSIU and HPNLU. Zero guts to do a protest yourself against the domicile quota and unfair manner in which the Mamata govt denied the best candidate the VC post and installed a mediocre substitute rejected by even NLU Ranchi, but happy to cheer others who have courage.
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 14:35
+4 -2
Laughing is good for your health. Keep doing it. Preferably once a day.
Noojie 20 Sept 2019, 19:56
+5 -3
We did as much as we could do as students. NLS is finding it difficult to tackle the university admin and you expected NUJS students to take on the entire state machinery? Have you even studied law to understand that merely protesting does not have much effect when a law has been notified by the state? We worked extensively on the VC selection but we cannot scream and shout without seeing what the new VC is capable of. Please do not manufacture hate like this.
Breaking news 20 Sept 2019, 13:22
+2 -0
Professor Sudhir has been offered the post of Pro Vice Chancellor of JGLS!!!
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 14:36
+0 -0
Kian, did you verify this before publishing it?
kianganz 20 Sept 2019, 14:42
+1 -0
No, not at all verified - meant to clarify earlier. I thought it was very obviously a joke. Though, who knows, in this day and age?...
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 15:20
+0 -0
Put 'Joke' somewhere there in the comment in such matters, no? :P
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 14:39
+3 -3
The key issue is this: an age limit of 60 was set in the VC ad, unlike other NLUs. It was done because MP Singh wanted an NLU alum like Sudhir and the alumni also lobbied for it. What the other side wants is a new ad with 65 as the age limit, which will make it tougher for Sudhir.
Read the Act 20 Sept 2019, 21:39
+0 -0
The NLSIU Act states that that the retirement age for the VC is 65, at par with the teaching staff. There's no real point in appointing a person who won't do the full term of five years.
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 02:01
+3 -0
That was when UGC also had kept it at 65. Now with that having been pushed to 70, I doubt the Act would continue to prevail in practice. RVR was past 65 when he left.
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 17:07
+4 -2
Why are Sudhir's supporters scared of a fresh advertisement? If he is good the first time will be the second time.
Spektor 20 Sept 2019, 18:01
+12 -18
Amusing stuff!! Looks to me that these kids are more interested in a showdown with their admin rather than genuine interest in academics. I like Sudhir but these spoilt-brat demands make it seem like Sudhir's arrival will take these students from the gutter to Harvard. NLSIU is already such a respected brand, with great academics, infrastructure, best law library in India, yada yada yada. Sure, RVR was not the best diamond but Sudhir is hardly the panacea to all troubles. I wonder how these same students will feel when Sudhir comes down heavily on their special exams, across the board pass marks, illegal alteration of marks to prevent year losses and other shady stuff that RVR used to hand out.

Most of all, who in their right mind would want to become VC of an educational institution after student agitated for her. If Sudhir has any self-respect he should turn this offer down and go someplace else.
Too Many Presumptions 20 Sept 2019, 21:47
+14 -5
On the contrary, students want Sudhir because the way RVR did things has proven to have long term detrimental effects, and the students also see this. Academic rigour goes top down. Below par faculty have been instilling a sense of indifference and milking the NLS brand for years now.

Nobody expects or wants Sudhir to be another RVR. The college has a reputation primarily because of what the students have constantly achieved. RVR, all said and done, was smart enough to play the role of a facilitator on this front with things like access to the Academic block, extending library timings till 3 AM, granting access to the TC/LC, granting attendance for events, etc. The problem with the present admin is that it is actively taking away all of this, and if you were to ask anyone the names of below par faculty members, the interim VC and Registrar's names are going to close to the top.
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 01:59
+2 -11
If students need to be granted attendance for events, maybe it's better not to conduct the events at all. These are yet more examples of shoddy standards facilitated during RVR reign.
Too Many Presumptions 21 Sept 2019, 09:42
+9 -1
I was referring to external events. I hope you will understand that things like Jessup/Vis take up considerable time not only to prepare, but also to go and partake in. In a trimester system which allows you to miss only 3 hours without losing marks, and 9 hours of make up (which applies only when your overall attendance hasn't slipped below 75%), it can be near impossible to balance attendance and participation. The admin should either facilitate these activities or stop thumping its chest everytime a student goes out of their way and does something extraordinary.

Maybe you should stop presuming so much and look at the alumni support. I'm sure 2000 odd people have good reasons to back the students. Surely not all of them are 'motivated' as people like to claim.
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 12:21
+4 -8
You say as if the class hours are the only time in the day to do any work. There are plenty of people in the past who have kept even 90% attendance in class because the 70% limit wasn't a thing back then and still won moots. This is nothing but mollycoddling. People moot because they want to improve their CVs. You need to work hard and do better time management instead of whining about classes missed it you want to do that.
LOL 20 Sept 2019, 23:57
+0 -2
Troll. In any case, this whole episode vindicates Venkata Rao in the minds of LI comment threads at least :)
Too Many Presumptions 21 Sept 2019, 09:44
+4 -0
Does it now? I suppose I've tried to objective in my assessment. I agree that his tenure has been the cause of systematic erosion of academic standards and exodus of decent profs (I believe the latter causes the former). There were a number of administrative issues as well. But he must be credited for things he did right. No right thinking VC would or should charge students for college amenities. Extension of library timings surely cannot be a bad thing, unless you believe otherwise.
Lessons From the Past 20 Sept 2019, 21:49
+1 -0
The same drama played out when RVR was appointed. The names put forward by the Madhava Menon committee were rejected and apparently, the 2nd committee headed by the the CNLU guy Laxminathan (?) chose 3 candidates, and apparently in a manner which ensured RVR's appointment.
Guest 20 Sept 2019, 17:17
+2 -1
This is all political. The appointment was done under a Congress govt. BJP will want someone else as VC.
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 02:49
+1 -9
Six weeks gap in appointing the VC with a temporary admin is no time at all. What garbage is this? I am disappointed that Dr Sudhir is not coming out into the open and asking the students not to protest. He also gave an undignified remark to the media complaining about a delay. Such behaviour is not expected from a person aspiring to be a VC. Why can't he just give a statement saying law will take its course and please go back to class???
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 06:07
+3 -2
Because he always looks after the number one. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But if you are expecting him to be an idealist who would have nothing but institutional interest in mind, that's not gonna happen.
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 02:57
+1 -12
Here are 10 ways in which Sudhir will transform NLSIU and why there is so much resistance to him:

1. MoU with Oxford and Columbia
2. Designation of top alumni as visiting profs
3. Filling EC with alumni
4. Expecting faculty to publish and do high quality research, be on their toes.
5. New faculty hiring with preference to alumni.
6. Liberal rules and end of moral policing.
7. Strategy to enter global rankings.
8. Applying for Institution of National Importance status.
9. Scholarships through funding from private sector.
10. Greater internationalisation
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 06:09
+13 -2
While you are at it, may as well mention making the degree a dual one. You pay NLSIU scale fees and get an Oxford degree. He'd also appoint students to the EC, hold weekly parties and make exams optional.
Aluminium 23 Sept 2019, 04:24
+3 -0
And you know this how?
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 04:26
+0 -0
Unlike VCV, NKC has no chance of getting any other NLU VCship and will also want to stick around in Bengal. Thus, the students must constantly ensure accountability from him.
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 07:05
+4 -14
The poster below is being displayed at NLSIU . It is a blatant take off from a well known Congress party chant referring to Rahul Gandhi. This tells you who is pulling the strings.

[img]https://i.imgflip.com/3b5ga1.jpg[/img]
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 07:08
+6 -1
Similar posters and chants have been seen/heard in Bollywood movies too. Is the Gandhi family producing those too? It's a fairly generic slogan.
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 11:39
+0 -1
So... Not him?
Guest 21 Sept 2019, 19:19
+0 -0
Shame on NLUJ students for being the only NLU not to protest!
Guest 22 Sept 2019, 13:44
+0 -0
@Kian: FYI
http://nlsquirks.in/executive-summary-of-the-joint-committee-report-on-the-process-of-vc-appointment/
Guest 22 Sept 2019, 13:55
+1 -7
Students and alumni wrote a letter against Gogoi in the alleged SH case. Now they are tying to pressure him. Also appointing their own VC rather than letting admin handle it. Plus humiliating senior teachers in the meeting It seems NLSIU is another JNU.
Guest 22 Sept 2019, 14:14
+1 -1
What utter rubbish! Students may believe Gogoi the person has acted badly and abused his power in the SH case. Why would that prevent them from demanding he does his job as Chancellor within reasonable time? Nor are students asking for their own VC, but demanding that the one already selected by the EC be allowed to join. As for the meeting, if the admin had been transparent about all the matters involved like they did after that meeting, there wouldn't have been any need for the meeting to begin with! Students don't want to protest at the cost of their time, effort and career prospects, rather they are forced to when the admin won't do their job. I wish all NLUs would learn that sooner rather than later.
Guest 22 Sept 2019, 15:53
+0 -1
The root cause of protest at all NLUS is ultimately the same. All NLUs must unite and file a case against the SC Registrar, law minister and HRD minister seeking fundamental clarity on the status of NLUs and uniform procedures for appointments of personnel, disclosure, grievance redressal etc. If you do not unite you are doomed. It is baffling how some of the brightest brains in the country are so stupid that they cannot fight unitedly.
Curious George 23 Sept 2019, 01:44
+5 -1
@Kian, any reason you're going slow on the reporting? Lots of developments in the past few days:
1. Open meeting of faculty and students where the FAC and Registrar were squirming under questioning
2. FAC constituting a Joint Committee (2 professors + 2 students) to inquire into the prevailing issue
3. The Joint Committee COMPLETELY eviscerating the Registrar (for his dilatory tactics, conflict of interest) and the FAC for his illegitimate appointment (wow! did not see this coming) as well as failure to oversee a fair process
4. Joint Committee's report presented openly in a faculty-student body meeting
5. Registrar and FAC completely gobsmacked, and walking out
6. SBA decided to boycott exams (with the tacit support of MANY current senior faculty are than the Registrar-FAC coterie)
7. Midnight vigil and march, people sleeping in the quad etc

Mainstream media are covering the protest quite widely. Sad to see Bar & Bench marching ahead on this story. Of course, take the time you need to corroborate, offer all sides to comment and so on. But you're definitely behind on this one.
Prediction 23 Sept 2019, 07:11
+1 -0
My prediction: Sudhir will get rejected in the end and join Jindal. Write it down.
Guest 23 Sept 2019, 07:39
+1 -8
Snowflake students with no clue of proper laws and procedures. Sick of this. Shut and focus on studies. You are funded by the taxpayer.
Guest 23 Sept 2019, 09:56
+0 -0
Actually, they are only insisting that the admin adheres to procedure including both the letter and the spirit.
Are we? 23 Sept 2019, 10:55
+0 -1
Hardly! How much tax did you pay?
Kian bhai 23 Sept 2019, 08:07
+0 -0
Why are you not reporting anything new? Most of the media houses have went to NLSIU, but why is LI lagging behind?

Btw, both the FAC and Registrar are in Delhi today. Get their versions if you need, but it's time you do some reporting.
Haha 23 Sept 2019, 09:23
+1 -0
Update:

[...] met the CJI and Bobde today during lunch, on behalf of the Alumni Association and SBA. The judges clarified that the procedure of appointment is finished, and that the order/letter appointing Sudhir will be issued in the next few days. Looks like "Nandi and Ramesh Go to Delhi" didn't pan out the way they hoped it would.
Guest 23 Sept 2019, 11:06
+0 -0
This is why NLSIU is #1. Students and alumni are totally united .
Guest 23 Sept 2019, 11:24
+0 -0
Despite not being from NLSIU myself, I completely agree with this comment.
Commenting is closed for this article.