Professors and students of the Centre for the Study of Discrimination and Exclusion at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) can finally heave a sigh of relief as the UGC has clarified that a letter sent in its name to the university regarding fund cuts was a “forged” one.
Earlier, The Hindu had reported that the JNU received a letter from the University Grants Commission on Thursday saying that the UGC would not fund its Centre for Social Exclusion after the 12th Plan, the period of which is 2012-2017.
The report had quoted the letter that reads, “... Regarding the establishment of the Centre of Studies of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy in your University, I am directed to inform you that UGC will not provide financial support to the Centre after the end of the 12th Plan as per the order received from the Ministry of Human Resource Development...”
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However, the UGC has now denied such claims, calling the letter a 'forged' one.
Another report by the newspaper quoted the UGC as saying,“The quoted letter is a forgery and as per records of UGC has not been issued by Ms. Sushma Rathore, Under Secretary, UGC. The records of University Grants Commission have been checked and it is confirmed that no such letter has been issued or dispatched by the office of University Grants Commission,”
The Commission has also clarified that it will continue to fund the Centre and is also contemplating taking legal action, added the report.
The Centre for the study of Discrimination and Exclusion are dedicated spaces for research on Dalits, tribes and minorities.
