Mahatma Gandhi Central University Bihar closed "sine die"

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 22: The Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) Bihar has been closed sine die over prevailing tense situation in the campus after an Assistant Professor was beaten up. A statement issued by the University administration states that it has been closed for the “safety of students, teachers and non-teaching staff”.

The University administration took the decision after a mob attacked Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology. Sanjay Kumar was attacked for allegedly making a critical comment about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, leading to tense situation on the university campus.

Sanjay Kumar, in his FIR, has alleged that over two dozen students attacked him at his Azad Nagar rented accommodation in Motihari and dragged him on to the road. They also threatened to burn him alive if he did not stop speaking against the incumbent Vice-Chancellor. He has complained that he was attacked over his Facebook post in which he allegedly termed the death of Vajpayee as the end of an era of fascism.

On the other hand, some of the teachers have claimed that the attack on Sanjay was because of campus rivalry and had very little to do with the Facebook post.

Prof Arvind Kumar Agrawal, VC, issued the order of closure exercising powers enshrined under Central University Act 2009.