Principal of Malda college resigns over admission row

MALDA: The principal of Malda College resigned on Tuesday after he was allegedly pressured by the TrinamoolChhatraParishad (TMCP) union not to introduce the online admission system in the college.
Professor of Economics Prabhash Choudhury had assumed the chair of principal of the college six months ago. Sources said he decided to introduce the online system for those who have passed the HS exam and had the consent of the governing body members also.But it didn't go down well with the union members, as they will be left with 'little job' regarding the admission.
"On Monday, a group of TMCP and Trinamool leaders met the principal and urged him to withdraw the process. They mounted pressure on the principal and humiliated him. The admission process, which was to start Monday, had to be stopped," said sources.
Choudhury said, "I have submitted my resignation on Tuesday on personal ground." Prosenjit Das, district TMCP president, said, "We did not exert any pressure on him. We only requested him to keep the manual process on along with the online system. But he was adamant." and wanted to give undue advantage to a particular political party and malign our govt."
But he never had the best of relation with the ruling party. The first conflict with the ruling party came into fore when the College refused to give nod to the TMC run English Bazaar Municipality's proposal to allow the college ground to be used as parking lot. Minister in Charge of Tourism Krishnendu Choudhury who is also the Chairman of Municipality openly said, "The principal should feel the interest of the town and in no way shall we accept the refusal."
If the ruling party was miffed with the Principal with his refusal to give in political pressures, the latest point of conflict came in the form of admission procedure. With the consent of the Governing Body members which includes teachers and academicians, Principal wanted to introduce the online admission system for those who had passed Higher Secondary Examination. Even an advertisement regarding this came on newspaper. "It would certainly reduce the pain of the students and bring clarity to the admission procedure", Principal said. In fact state higher education department too recommended for such procedure.
It was decided that a special meeting of GB would be held on 5th June on admission process. But the pressure was on the principal and finally he tendered his resignation to GB today. It may be recalled that hooliganism of TMCP is nothing new in Malda. A year back Registrar of University had to resign on the face of assault by TMCP. Former Vice Chancellor Gopa Dutta too had to face the wrath. now the latest victim is Prabhas Choudhury, Principal of Malda College.
Principal wanted to introduce admission online but that would have certainly not gone with the interest of the students union. Even the ruling party too would not accept it in good humour especially prior to rural poll when admission to college is a good bait to rope the electorate. Thus the pressure was mounting on the Principal and he finally had to concede to the pressure to step down. Malda College, the biggest college under University of Gour Banga is rocked with controversy as it has seen yet another highhandedness of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) in the line of Raiganj University College.