TIMES OF INDIA reports .........

Normalcy restored in American college
18 Dec 2008, 0249 hrs IST, TNN





Normalcy restored in American college times news network Madurai: Faculty and students of the American College in Madurai were jubilant when the principal-in-charge unlocked the door to the Principal's room after a gap of nearly nine months, marking an end to a long struggle for justice.

The college was started in 1881 by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign mission with an aim of educating the downtrodden in the society. In 1934, it became independent of the Mission department and started functioning as a independent legal entity and a registered society.

The Bishop of the Madurai Ramnad Dioceses was a member of the governing council, he had no executive responsibilities apart from presiding over the council meeting. But, the present Bishop Christopher Asir, has promoted his family's interest by appointing his son-in-law Dr Davamoni Christopher as the Bursar of the college.
When Principal Dr Chinnaraj Joseph Jayakumar, refused to act according to the Bishop's wishes, they floated a rumour that he was on leave, when the Principal was in his office. They later closed the Principal's office and prevented him from entering it on April 12, this year. Subsequently, the Bishop came with his son-in-law, son and thugs and tried to takeover the college administration in August this year and appointing George Selvakumar as the principal. The students and faculty protested and many of them were injured in the lathi charge by the police.

The State Women's Commission which conducted enquiries into the alleged attacks on female faculty and students had taken a strong note and recommended that a detailed enquiry should be conducted into the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police, Madurai, in regard to the issue concerning the American College in Madurai. Petitions were filed by both Dr Chinnaraj Joseph and also the Bishop. Dismissing a petition by the latter, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Dec 12, said that the Vice Principal Dr P A Anbudurai should act as the principal and secretary in charge of the college and that the police and district administration should give him adequate protection.

The court quashing the dismissal order arbitrarily passed by the Bishop and his company has restrained Dr Chinnaraj Joseph from participating in the administration of the college till this dispute is settled in the civil court. Meanwhile, speaking to TOI, Dr Joseph said the CSI Bishop's ideology itself is un-Christian. In the process of appropriating the college he has tried to communlise the issue. It was purely done with a vested interest in the contexts of commercialization of higher education, corruption in appointments and also trying to appoint people of his choice. Nine peace initiatives by the district administration, court and even the Church failed, due to the Bishop's attitude.

"This college was committed to liberal and pluralistic values. Students were educated here beyond caste and creed. The Church is trying to narrow down this by saying that a Christian institution has to be managed by the Bishop," he said. "I am happy that stability has returned to the college and that the students can continue with their examinations," he added.


==========================================
======================================================
==========================================

THE HINDU


Tamil Nadu - Madurai

American College to reopen today




MADURAI: The American College here will reopen on December 18 (Thursday) following arrangements made in administration subsequent to the order passed by the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court.

On Wednesday morning, P. R. Anbudurai took over as Principal in-charge in the presence of officials from Collegiate Education Department and Revenue Department. “We have followed what the High Court said on the dispute between the two groups in American College on administration issue. Both the groups extended cooperation and regular classes will resume and hostels reopen on December 18,” C. Pandi, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education, said.

The Joint Director said that the steps taken for smooth functioning of the college were explained to the Collector and the Director of Collegiate Education. He said that all possible measures had been taken to ensure that academic atmosphere prevailed in the campus in the interest of students.

Thanking both the groups for extending cooperation to implement the High Court direction, Dr. Pandi said that his role from now on would be to conduct regular meetings in the college and see that the examinations did not get affected under any circumstance.

A posse of police personnel is still on duty in the American College campus as the institution is being reopened on Thursday.

According to police sources, students of a particular undergraduate course are going to give a petition to higher officials expressing their grievances. “Police will be posted for another day or two. If the college starts functioning normally, we may leave,” a senior police official said.








© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu