UoM Syndicate member resigns, cites personal reasons

Mysuru: Basavaraju C Jattihundi, member of the Syndicate, the apex body of the University of Mysore, resigned from his post. He was appointed to the Syndicate on Jan 4, 2024, for a period of three years.Basavaraju attributed personal reasons for his resignation. He submitted his resignation letter through an email dated June 15. "I am a writer. Due to my responsibilities, I was not able to concentrate on writing. So, I decided to resign," he said.However, sources in the university pointed out that in Feb 2025, during an event organised at one of the varsity departments, Basavaraju put up banners welcoming dignitaries, including CM Siddaramaiah, on the main stretch at Manasagangotri, the PG campus of the varsity. The banners were left untouched by the university authorities. However, last week, the university authorities removed the banner of national leader BR Ambedkar put up by research scholars and students to mark Ambedkar Jayanti. It led to a series of protests, including dharnas at Manasagangotri. The agitators questioned the authorities and accused them of adopting double standards. Following the agitation, the city police were stationed at the campus. After the row, the Syndicate member resigned, sources stated.University of Mysore Research Scholars Association issued a clarification stating that there was no role of any Syndicate member in the removal of Ambedkar banner at Manasagangotri on June 11. "There is no connection between this incident and the Syndicate members," Shivashankar, president of the association, said.