New Delhi: Two days after being removed, economist Sanjeev Sanyal was reinstated as the chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) by its trustees.
Members of GIPE’s parent organisation, the Servants of India Society (SIS), had cited the institute’s declining academic credentials and alleged misconduct in staff hiring as reasons for Sanyal’s sacking.
According to reports, in a letter issued on Saturday, SIS has requested Sanyal to continue in his post.
Sanyal, who is a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, had shot back at SIS through social media posts after the news of his removal emerged.
‘Miscommunication between Sanyal and SIS’
In a letter addressed to Sanyal, president of SIS Damodar Sahoo has blamed ‘lack of communication’ between Sanyal and SIS for the misunderstanding, the Indian Express reported.
“I am thankful to you, that you have graciously furnished a detailed explanation to all our concerns, written in my letter. From the content of your letter, I came to know and became satisfied that, as the Chancellor of our Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, you have decided to take suitable steps in enhancing and protecting the glory of Gokhale Institute. Sanjeevji, this misunderstanding happened due to lack of communication between you and the Servants of India Society,” Sahoo wrote in a fresh letter to Sanyal.
“It gives me great satisfaction and relief to convey to you that trustees are of the unanimous opinion that that letter given to you by me ought to be withdrawn with immediate effect,” the letter read.
Sahoo also asked Sanyal to Sahoo consider the previous letter as null and void.
Reasons for Sanyal’s sacking
The letter came a day after SIS had appointed former Bombay high court judge, Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari as the chancellor.
SIS president Damodar Sahoo accused Sanyal of inaction in a letter Wednesday, citing GIPE’s declining credentials, including its downgrade to a ‘B’ grade in NAAC accreditation.”We are pained to see GIPE’s decline. There is no concrete plan of action from you,” Sahoo wrote.
SIS had also alleged that procedures were bypassed while hiring faculty, holding interim vice-chancellor Shankar Das responsible for the misconduct. Sanyal was reportedly asked to review the irregularities by SIS but it did not receive a response from him.
