Trouble at American College over Bishop’s move

The New Indian Express, Sunday, December 12, 2010
http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu/trouble-at-american-college-over-bishop’s-move/230186.html

MADURAI: With CSI Bishop A Christopher Asir again trying to assert his role in running the college by appointing his nominee as the Principal, the The American College issue gets murkier.

As the problem began to escalate in the morning fearing unrest and possible harm to students, the principal in-charge P R Anbudurai declared indefinite closure of the college.

According to sources from the college, the Bishop had sent a proposal to appoint one of his ally as principal when the term of the previous principal T Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar expired.

The proposal was sent to the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE).

The internal communication relating to the approval of the proposal had landed in the office of the Joint Director of Collegiate Education.

Armed with a copy of this internal communication, the Bishop had taken forceful steps to appoint his candidate as the principal, Anbunathan, a senior professor of the college, noted.

It may be recalled that a similar incident took place when Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar went on leave in 2008.

The commotion in the college led to the entry of police and protesting students were lathi-charged.

Asked if any measures were taken to avert a similar situation, Anbunathan said that the present principal P R Anbudurai had declared holiday for the institution so that it coincides with the Christmas and New Year and the college will reopen on January 3.

He reiterated that the court had already ruled in favour of Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar when the Bishop challenged his appointment and the verdict had stated that the Bishop has no locus standi in the college.

On Friday evening, the Bishop’s supporters, with the help of police entered the college and the Bishop’s candidate assumed charge as the new principal.

Commissioner of Police, P Balasubramanian told Express that the Bishop had obtained valid orders from the DCE. He said that Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar had sought extension from the DCE which was ruled out and then he had approached the Court which also rejected his plea.

He then said that the opposing party had stated that they had convened a governing council meeting but the names of the council members did not match those registered in the department.

Now that the Bishop has got the authority to appoint another principal, the police helped him complete the chore, he added.

Legal opinions from the Public Prosecutor has also been obtained before taking this stance, he pointed out.