Nalanda University was an international centre of learning until 13^th century AD. The University was established by the Mauryan dynasty in 3^rd century BC, probably conceptualized and visualized by Chanakya himself, who wanted to build a centre of excellence in East India similar to Takshashila University, his alma-mater.

The University flourished during the Gupta dynasty and reached its zenith at the time of King Harshvardhan. This great centre of education attracted people from across India, China, Malaya and all across Central and South East Asia. The University maintained its stature for more than 1600 years even though the Magadha throne changed hands multiple times during this period. Most kings supported and financed the University wholeheartedly. This is a reflection of the importance given to education by the Indian society in those times. The first king to ransack and damage the University was Alauddin Khilji. After the spread of Islamic rule in India, the University started losing patronage and ended its operations by 13^th century AD.

Former President of India Abdul Kalam had dreamt of bringing the lost glory back to Nalanda. On his persuasion, the Indian Government in 2007 started planning the revival of Nalanda University and many countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and China promised funding to this great endeavour. This was a monumental task to bring back Nalanda University in all its past glory. The stated objective of ‘reviving’ ancient University set the tone that this project had far greater importance than setting up of a new University.

A mentor group (NMG) under the leadership of eminent economist and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen was set up in 2007 to conceptualise and make this revival a reality. The NMG took 3 years to get the planning right and in 2010 the Government passed an act to establish Nalanda International University. After 7 years and a few 100 crore Rupees later, in 2014 the first academic session of Nalanda University started.

The resignation

All was well, there were no questions asked by media, intelligentsia and public on the delay in opening the University. Then came the CAG query questioning the tax free salaries of the top brass, amounting to 80000$ each and the salary of academic staff amounting to 50,000$ each!! Any right thinking person, who doesn’t have anything to hide, would have replied to the CAG queries and got those queries closed. But the noble laureate chose not to follow the usual path!!

Sen’s tenure was coming to an end in July 2015. On 13^th of January 2015, the board unanimously approved his second term as chancellor. There was a clear 6 months for the Government to approve this proposal by the board. Meanwhile, Dr Sen threatened the Government with resignation, as reported by Indian express on 18^th of February 2015. The IE reported that Sen “conveyed to the MEA at the highest levels that he would resign if the CAG queries were not opposed and/or quashed”¹

On 21^st February, Dr. Sen wrote a letter to the board resigning from his post. Strangely, the reason for resignation given in this letter is not the same as his threat to the MEA.

To quote from the letter – “More than a month has passed since then (since Nalanda board approved his continuation as Chancellor) and it now seems clear that the visitor has been unable to provide his assent to the governing board’s unanimous choice in the absence of the Government’s approval. The governing board has not been favoured with a reply to its request, either from the president’s office or from the ministry of external affairs. As board members are aware, our visitor—President Pranab Mukherjee—has always taken a deep personal interest in the speedy progress of the work of Nalanda University, and given that, we have to assume that something makes it difficult—or impossible—for him to act with speed in this matter.”

The root cause

So what exactly was the reason for Mr Sen to resign? Was it due to the CAG queries or was it as a protest against the delay for the approval of his extension or the so called ‘interference’ by the Government in educational institutions as he claims in his resignation letter?

It is very surprising that Mr. Sen got so angry with the Government to have wait for approval of his extension. By that time in Feb 2015, he must have seen the speed at which this particular Government functions. He himself had not exactly set an example of speedy decisions and implementation as the head of Nalanda University. The University took 7 years to start its first batch with just 13 students and 10 overpaid (as indicated by CAG) teachers!!

This definitely is not a shining example of efficiency which Sen expects from the Government.

Another resignation

Interestingly, the reason for his resignation comes from the threat he had issued to the MEA. Sen was disturbed and possibly wary of the CAG queries. In fact, Dr. Abdul Kalam had raised questions on the functioning of the Nalanda University under Sen. The former president had resigned from the board of Nalanda in July 2011 alleging that Sen was “forcing him out of his brainchild”².

Further Kalam reportedly said in the resignation letter that "Having been involved in various academic and administrative proceedings of the Nalanda University since August 2007, I believe that the candidates to be selected/appointed to the post of chancellor and vice chancellor should be of extraordinary intellect with academic and management expertise. Both the chancellor and vice chancellor have to personally involve themselves full-time in Bihar, so that a robust and strong international institution is built"²

Sen had brought in his protégé Ms. Gopa Sabharwal as Vice Chancellor without Kalam’s knowledge as claimed by Dr. Kalam in his resignation letter. Ms. Sabharwal was just an Assistant professor before being brought in as the Vice Chancellor. Doesn’t it smell of impropriety or favouritism? She was based in Delhi all along as against the wishes of Kalam who wanted key Management and Staff to be stationed at Rajgir.

The very fact that a person of stature such as Dr. Kalam had to resign indicates something seriously wrong in the way the University was shaping up. What is also surprising that the intellectuals of the media and the civil society did not outrage the way they are outraging now against Sen’s resignation. We should bear in mind that Dr. Kalam’s overall stature and contribution to India is much bigger than those of Dr. Sen.

Conclusion

Whether or not there was an actual financial irregularity, a hasty resignation on the face of CAG queries does raise suspicions. As if allegations of favouritism, impropriety and undue financial privileges (like tax free salaries for board members) were not enough, there was clear inefficiency in setting up the University. It took 4 years for the first academic batch to start after Nalanda University was set up. The building of the University is still being built after 4 years. The total number of students is just 13 and there are only 10 teachers.

As it looks like, Dr. Sen probably wants to wash the stains of alleged impropriety and inefficiency by blaming it on the Government. The media and intellectuals also seem to be helping Dr.Sen in developing a storyline to blame the Government. Contrary to Sen’s allegation of Government interference, the Government is not interfering enough in this case. An investigation should be set up and culprits of killing the dream of reviving the Nalanda University should be investigated and exposed.

By- Sagar Kinhekar