New Delhi: A day after R K Pachauri was asked to go on leave, a group of TERI University alumni today condemned the decision, saying it was a step to "cool the protests" while "keeping the channels open" for the environmentalist to influence the witnesses.
"On behalf of TERI alumni, we would like to express unhappiness regarding the governing council's decision of sending Pachauri on an indefinite leave. We condemn this decision as we believe that the council needs to understand that requesting the 'removal or suspension from a position of higher power' is not equivalent to sending him on a 'paid leave'," 2008-batch Nitasha Sharma, who is the part of the group, said.
Pachauri was on Friday asked by its governing council to go on leave from TERI, its council and TERI university, amidst mounting outrage over his elevation as executive vice chairman despite facing a swirl of sexual harassment allegations.
On February 11, Pachauri had proceeded on leave from TERI University after students had refused to receive degrees from him. He had said that he would not be part of the varsity's convocation which is scheduled to take place on March 7.
"Even on 'leave from all positions', Pachauri remains associated with TERI and the University. We perceive this decision by the council as a step to cool the current protests because it not only opens the possibility of him joining the institute anytime the governing council deems appropriate but also keeps the channel of influencing the the witnesses indirectly," Sharma said.
They alleged that the council is on the side of Pachauri and is willing to defend him at the cost of losing the respect and support of its university students.
The alumni group had submitted a letter to TERI's governing council on February 10 demanding his suspension from the green body and also started an online petition to mobilise support against him.
Former Competition Commission chief Ashok Chawla was appointed new chairman of the organisation yesterday after TERI's chairman B V Sreekantan resigned.
The alumni perceived this decision by the Council as a step to cool the current protests because it not only opens the possibility of him joining the institute anytime the Governing Council deems appropriate but also keeps the channel of influencing the witnesses indirectly.
"We are extremely disappointed by actions of the Governing Council members who have not only disrespected the power and trust invested upon them but also the law and public morality.
"By showing an utter disregard to the TERI university alumni's letter sent the day before yesterday which requested that Pachauri be removed or suspended from any position at TERI or TERI University until he is cleared of all legal proceedings clearly prove that the Council is on the side of Pachauri and is willing to defend him at the cost of losing the respect and support of the current and ex-students of TERI university," the statement released by Nitasha, an alumni of 2008 batch, said.
The alumni group had submitted a letter to TERI's governing council on February 10 demanding his suspension from the green body and also started an online petition to mobilise support against him.
Former Competition Commission chief Ashok Chawla was yesterday appointed Chairman of TERI yesterday after incumbent B V Sreekantan resigned in the midst of current controversies.
On February 11, Pachauri had proceeded on leave from TERI University after students had refused to receive degrees from him. He had said that he would not be part of the varsity's convocation, which is scheduled to take place on March 7.
