“Leave it to varsity’s discretion, outside interference unnecessary”: Gundu Rao on M’lore University Ganeshotsav row

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the interference by “outsiders” in Mangalore University with regards to Ganeshotsava festivities on campus is unnecessary and opined that the issues should be sorted out at the varsity level.

Mangalore University is an autonomous institution. Outsiders should not interfere in its functioning, he said and added that the Karnataka Governor and the Vice Chancellor will make appropriate decisions with regard to holding the festivities.

Answering a question from reporters in Mangaluru on Monday, he said that Mangalore University has slipped in its academic rigour. Importance should be given to steps for improving the quality of education, he added.

Ganeshotsava has been celebrated there (the varsity) for the past 40 years. “I don’t understand why it is being disputed now. The university is funded by the public, which should be used for education. There have been issues related to nonpayment of salary and pension. That should be sorted first,” he said and added that the decision about the festival celebration should be at the discretion of the university management.

Gundu Rao gave a subversive answer when the reporters brought the discrepancy in the holiday declared for Ganesha Chaturthi. As per Hindu Panchanga (almanac), the festival falls on September 19 whereas the government has declared a holiday on September 18. Gundu Rao said, if that’s the case it’s just a matter of consulting the almanac and reaching an appropriate conclusion.”