Protest over music college delay exposes govt-Guv clash again

After the senate members from Yuva Sena staged the protest and started shouting slogans, the VC suspended the meeting for 15 minutes

The delay in setting up the Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Music College (MDMMC), for which the state government requires land from the Mumbai University (MU), has once again led to a clash between the government and Governor's office. The varsity is waiting for a nod from the Governor, as his approval is mandatory in his capacity as chancellor of all state universities. The varsity senate members of Yuva Sena held a protest against the delay during a meeting on Friday by wearing black caps and holding placards.

As protesters started shouting slogans against the varsity administration, MU Vice Chancellor Dr Suhas Pednekar suspended the meeting for 15 minutes. After it resumed, he assured that the varsity would send a proposal to the state government for the music college as soon as possible.

The matter came to light after senior senate member from Yuva Sena, Pradeep Sawant, raised the point as he questioned the delay in allotting land for the MDMMC. "There is no logical reason to justify the delay. The letter of proposal from the state government was sent to the varsity in May this year. The varsity forwarded it to the Governor very late and an inconclusive response has been given dated September 24. This clearly indicates that due to political reasons we will miss out on a legendary music institution," said Sawant.

Responding to the points raised by Sawant, Dr Pednekar said, "The Management Council (MC) or the VC does not have powers to decide on who gets the land. This is why the proposal was sent to the Governor. The Governor in the response has mentioned that since the varsity already has a redevelopment plan in the pipeline, this matter will be considered after its completion."

Dr Pednekar read out the letter from the Governor and added that there was no political angle to it. Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Ravindra Kulkarni said the varsity currently does not have adequate space (2.5 acres) required for the institution.

However, soon after, 11 Yuva Sena members of the senate staged the protest and started shouting slogans against the varsity administration. Upon returning to the chair, post suspension of the meeting, Dr Pednekar said, "MU proposes that the said music institution should be an affiliated college and a proposal in this regard will be sent to the state government as soon as possible." The VC will also meet the higher and technical education minister on Monday regarding the same.