ASI director general selection runs into major controversy

Jan. 18: The selection process of the new director general of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has become mired in controversy, with a section of archaeologists alleging “inbuilt bias against South Indians.”
Dr K.M. Suresh, director (museums) of the Kannada University in Hampi, has moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) against the selection process. “I suspect a bias against South Indians.”
“The first selection sub-committee short-listed my name two years ago and I was asked to apply for the post again last year,” he told this newspaper. “But a new sub-committee was formed and my application was kept aside during the selection process.” The culture ministry spokesperson Mr Dhawan, however, said the selection process was ‘methodical’ and the interviews were conducted in December 2009 with subject experts and officials.
It was the inclusion Dr Nayanjot Lahiri and Dr Ga-utam Sengupta in the shortlist that set off the debate.
Dr Lahiri, a well-qualified archaeologist, happens to be a colleague of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s second daughter, Dr Upinder Singh, at Delhi University. Dr Gautam Sengupta is a known CPI (M) sympathiser and friend of culture secretary, Mr Jawhar Sircar.
“Dr Lahiri is qualified and why should one disqualify her for being a colleague of Prime Minister’s daughter?” asked a professor at the Delhi University.