An Interview with Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Jha

Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Jha is amongst those teachers/professors who have never been able to secure due recognition in KU because of despotic, casteist and parochial politics of Suresh Raj, Sitarama, Pushpa Raj and many other narrow-minded administrators. However, under the guidance of Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Jha, a real son of Nepali soil, KUPA movement has come to a new height and we are all in a strong position to challenge and decimate the forces of status quo in KU. This blog has recently conducted an interview with Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Jha, who holds righteous claim to every top-notch position in KU, but presently deprived and sidelined by Suresh Raj and his regime because of his being real son of the soil. Please find the excerpts below:

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Interview
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BMC: Can you please throw some light on your past association with KU?
Dr. Jha: Its been ages. This February it will be 14 years since I joined KU. I remember it was sometime in June or July 1992 that I gave my first interview to KU. The VC, Registrar (Dr. Sitaram Adhikari), Dr. BMT, Prof.Rimal and few more faces were there to ask questions. KU started the academic session with I.Sc. program from the August same year but I was not called to join. It was during winter vacation that one fine day Prof.BMT asked me to come to the school at Gahanpokhari in Kathmandu. The next day I went there and was asked to meet Dr.Wagley who was the head of Biology Department. He enquired whether it is possible for me to take classes from the next day. I said yes, and rest is the history that began from Feb.1993.

BMC: Having worked for this many years since founding KU, what is your impression about this institution?
Dr. Jha: It is a mixed impression. The beginning was great and exciting. It appeared as if everyone involved in the university has some mission. All were working hard and with discipline and purpose. I remember, many of us would surround our VC and listen to his inspiring words for hours without sitting. He was such a vision and attraction then. With the support from all sides the university was growing fast and in a positive direction.

However, compromises on norms and values of the university were already made on those initial days and is still continuing. We didn’t care at that time as most of us were too focused in dream objective of making the university of world standard. And now many of us feel that those tampering were less of a blunder and more of a deliberate move to bring the present chaos and crisis in the university. In the name of our political and social structure, undue and unethical advantages were given to some top politicians, government officers and others. Back in the university, we were told that such leaders and officers are ruthless and can do anything to disrupt and dismantle the university if they are not obliged. Most of us believed the story at that time. But when we analyze today, it seems a shrewd and cunning move of the authorities to save, extend and consolidate their regime in the university. You can judge that conclusion by the fact that all three of the founder (VC, Registrar and then Dean of Science) had an unquestioned regime in the university since its very beginning, i.e., since last 15 or 16 years. I am not against any individual, but just think how a new person could evolve in such an environment when no one at the top 1, 2, and 3 is moving anywhere. When such things happen, all kind of irregularities, abnormalities and malpractices happen in the institution. Kathmandu University is no exception to that. It is a general feeling among the faculties that the good teaching and learning environment now at KU is only due to their sincerity, hard work and modesty. The staff, students, and the larger section of parents and local community are also helping the cause. However, indications are there that the authorities are busy doing politics, recruiting antisocial elements and running the institution in unprofessional ways. I would only say that such a good institution is heading towards a grave crisis and the only reason is authorities.

BMC: KU recently claimed that the hiring and promotion at KU are not based on nepotism; instead there are certain rules that apply. There has to be advertisement, evaluation committees, experts are called for interviews before they promote someone. Someone failing to qualify loses his jobs. Did they follow any procedure?
Dr. Jha: People can only laugh at such a claim. It is no more a secret now that the greatest rogue of KU is Nepotism. There would be very few examples that might exceed KU in the world in having such a large congregation of bloodline and in-laws of all the authorities. Even the private business houses may not have such an assemblage. Somehow the authorities do not realize that these guys are engulfing the entire KU. Not only that the persons working in the interface too, such as legal advisor, auditor and certain media persons etc. have to be their kith and kin or pets. These people are there to hide the chaos and mismanagement inside the university. Most of them have come through backdoor, are mostly incompetent and hence their weapons are conspiracy and chakari. All the channels of constructive criticisms and good suggestions from general faculties, staff and parents/students are totally blocked by these fellows. It also seems that the authorities only want to listen their praises, which are done all the time by their own people.

They do everything about hiring and promotion according to law and rules of the university but the VC has such a sweeping power that he can do virtually anything. To make matter easier for him, there is a makeshift selection committee with yes men, which is a complete puppet. The biggest evidence of this is their tenure, which never seems ending like that of VC and company. So, on paper they follow the rules and regulations but not on the true spirit.

Check these examples: Most of the Professors at KU are by executive decisions rather than formal interview by external examiners. When there is hidden rule for a faculty to have Doctorate or additional degree to become assistant Prof. in science and engineering, there are Professors in Management and Medicine with lesser degree. There are six promotions in as many years for a privileged one but many faculties and staff have to leave the job in absence of the promotion.

BMC: Dr. Sharma doesn't listen to his co-workers. He dictates them, so the principled academicians hesitate to work under him and leave the job sooner or later. Only yes men stay intact with him. Do you disagree with it?
Dr. Jha: I tell you the story. There was a big urgent meeting called by VC after more than 60 faculty members signed and sent a paper raising question about unprofessional and untransparent way of donating money to the injured people during last revolutionary movement in the country. After usual round of thrashing staffs, VC, Registrar and BMT thought everything was under their control. When Dr.Roshan wanted to speak in behalf of the teachers, the VC at first refused to listen. He said if it is on behalf of the teachers who have signed, he would simply not listen. Look at his pride. My goodness! However, he had to listen. He was forced to listen. May be first time in his days in KU he faced such a humiliation. Suddenly so many people were raising voice in front of him. Getting clap for every sentence. It was as if the terror of tyranny was over and everyone felt so liberated, yet there is so much discipline among the staffs. The same signature campaign has now evolved into KUPA, KUSA and SWC.

Before that, the staffs of KU were very much afraid of VC and other authorities. Many had just left the institution because of that. However, now the general staff are not alone and they can fight for the rights and justice.

BMC: There is a virtual organization in KU called No-KUPA, isn't that offensive?
Dr. Jha: So far we have not heard of virtual No-KUPA. Yet we all know that there are a few faculties who are not in favor of KUPA. Authorities of KU even tried a step to set up another teacher’s body but it failed mainly because it was not backed up by many faculties. This indicates even those faculties who are yet to become KUPA member believe that KUPA is fine and it is unhealthy and unethical to go against its spirit. There could be a lack of clarity and some reasons that they have not taken the KUPA membership. Otherwise they are most welcome to join the organization.

BMC: What is your assessment of current KUPA activities?
Dr. Jha: KUPA is still in a formative stage but the general members and the executives are a committed lot. I would say, KUPA has shown remarkable maturity in its activities. Whatever allegations the authorities have been trying to fabricate to tarnish the image of KUPA, it has been a failure. So far the success of KUPA has been because of the genuine demands it has put forward and the mismanagements it has pointed out. And on top of that it has kept its integrity and thus rapidly increasing its popularity.

BMC: Sir, you have been there in KU for a long time. Could you please let us know why the administrators mistreat the teachers in KU?
Dr. Jha: Oh! By now there are many examples of such mistreatment. You can start the story from Dr.Wagley, who was the first HOD of Biology department at KU. He was a dynamic personality and liked by all. But he left KU due to the ethical differences and subsequent lack of respect to the authorities. You have such examples from all the departments. Most of the faculties or staffs who left KU or victimized, were really good, sincere and were men and women of principle and values. They did not hesitate to point out the malpractices, and lack of professional environment in the University. And the authorities have taken these as some kind of threat to their regime. In fact, they always wanted an unquestioned regime in the university. They have a kind of policy of either terminating or at least harassing and threatening those faculties and staffs who disagree with their way of running the institution. And many non academic staffs have learned from them to disregard the teaching faculties. These staffs are encouraged and rewarded for doing so.

Also it seems the authorities have a feeling that those who disagree with their way of running KU should and would quit making their regime smooth. However, this time, specially the members of KUPA/KUSA are committed to stay and change the regime for the betterment of KU.

BMC: Some of the faculty members openly resent that Dr. Sharma and Dr. Adhikary alone are taking all the credits for the success of KU. Is it ethical for Dr. Sharma and Dr. Adhikary to do so?
Dr. Jha: That’s the problem with them. Time and again they take satisfaction by personal glorification. At times they forget that the words of glorification sounds better from the society and ordinary people rather than self, relatives and some handpicked people who has taken undue and unethical advantage from the university. Also there are people who blindly think that Dr. Sharma can do no wrong. However, there numbers are on decline for sure.

In fact I agree that they have done tremendous job to establish the university but they should not forget that it was backed by faculties, staffs, students, local community, government machinery, civil society, donors and international community. So if they forget and want to take all the credits, then be sure that their feet are not in the ground.

So, many people, groups and institutions are involved to bring KU at this stage.

BMC: It appears that Dr. Suresh Raj is interested in dividing the faculties of KU by associating them with the concerned schools only. Is it not possible for all the professors to unite under a common umbrella?
Dr. Jha:This is a new strategy by VC, which came after the emergence of KUPA. He is trying to play a divide and rule game. Stronghold of KUPA is the school of science and probably most hated and neglected these days. However, it is also the strongest school of the university. School of Engineering is also at the same venue, but do not seem strong because many of the faculties are fresh and junior, some senior faculties are confused and unclear about academic values and freedom, while still some are more confused as they are enjoying petty privileges, which they think will go if they join KUPA. I would say school of medicine is much stronger and progressive than engineering at the moment. Many may not agree but the simplest measure of this is the number of KUPA membership. So it is difficult for authorities to play game in medicine at the moment. Therefore, their attention is shifted to KUSOM, where there are hardly 4 or 5 full time faculties and is much easier to handle them. Education also has hardly 4 or 5 full timers. These two schools are in the valley and most of the meetings by authorities concerning the demands and activities of KUPA are held in this venue secretly. Some secret meetings are also held in DMI. In all, they seem to segregate schools in this way, but will not help them.

BMC: Sir, we heard that Suresh Raj instigated Prof. Pushpa Raj against you, is it correct?
Dr. Jha:I am not aware of that. Only thing I could say about Pushpa sir is that he has shattered all the hope, respect and confidence shown to him by his colleagues and staffs. The person once used to be surrounded by colleagues and friends all the time due to his inspirational simplicity is now isolated into a corner of examination office. For me he looks so deserted and lonely. However, he chose to be like that. Several times he has said that certain things like nepotism in KU are at the worst condition but he would not like to fight against it with authorities all the time. However, our stand is that, if something is wrong and is consciously done wrong, then there is no way to compromise. That’s what the finest academicians do, and expect from others.

BMC: People claim something fishy about Pushparaj, do you agree?
Dr. Jha: I have already mentioned so many things about him. This time I would only say people’s claim has substance.

BMC: Sir, Pushparaj used to claim that he was democratic. But his behaviors show that he is a mandale. What do you think?
Dr. Jha:Again, just a simple answer: he is not democratic at all as he claims.

BMC: What, in your opinion, could be the reason Suresh Raj always preferred Sitaram as registrar of KU?
Dr. Jha:Specifically it is difficult to say why VC always wanted Dr. Sitaram as registrar. But indirectly may be we can make a list of the reason: long term association (since Valley Campus time), to exploit his connections in government and judiciary, typical bureaucratic mindset and execution, expert in manipulating things including financial aspect, family relation and neighbor etc.

BMC: Is Sitaram justified in appointing both of his sons in KU?
Dr. Jha: It seems actually there is a hidden pact between VC, Dr.Sitaram and BMT that since they have made the university, they should share the fruits among themselves. There is no way they can justify that not only their sons and daughters but brothers, sisters and in-laws as well who are working in KU.

BMC: Sir, should not Suresh Raj and Sitaram disclose their property details?
Dr. Jha: I think your question is pointing towards corruption and financial irregularities at KU. There are no direct evidences about this. However, they have handled the institution for more than 15 years without any external monitoring. In addition, during these years they have not come up with a single welfare package for staffs but, when it comes to construction and buying real estate they have always shown extreme eagerness. Some of the contractors for the constructions are fishy. The purchase of material and equipment requirements of the university is noncompetitive and nontransparent. And there are many other mismanagements of university resources. Thus, it is high time that a powerful independent probe should be allowed to see the true financial situation. It could be a good test to the authorities as well to show if they are clean in all matters.

BMC: Asst. Prof. Dr. Ramesh Pant claims that Sitaram tried to cause harm to him. Do you think that Sitaram can do this to former faculties who toiled hard for betterment of KU? Can you please elaborate on contributions of Dr. Ramesh Pant?
Dr. Jha:I have no idea about that claim by Dr.Pant. However, from my personal experience Dr.Sitaram could go to any level if he wants to harm. As far as Dr. Pant is concerned, he is one of the oldest faculty at KU and has been always admired by the colleagues and students. He has all the qualities to be an excellent academician.

BMC: It has been reported that Suresh Raj tried to create division between SWC and KUPA. What do you think about the role of SWC?
Dr. Jha:He has tried. Rumors are there that some students even received some money for going against the teachers. Rumors are also there that some HODS motivated and threatened the students to go against teachers. However, the authorities didn’t realize that such attempt is only artificial, hollow and temporary. The natural union is always between teachers and students. The teachers who are involved in bringing changes did in fact received respects and backing from most of the students. We are all proud of our student.

BMC: What happened to a four party agreement reached between the management,administration, teachers and students?
Dr. Jha: The last uprising ended in a good spirit with that agreement but it seems the authorities are not serious and faithful. They have not delivered anything even after around 6 months of that agreement. Instead, they are into number of conspiracies. There are sufficient evidences to point them regarding the legal case, by which they want to put own teachers and staffs in hassles. Either they may be happy or buying the time for themselves, they should realize that they are playing the games against highly qualified and dedicated bunch of the people. It will backfire them.

They have also bought some time and ground by negotiating the affiliation of Nobel Medicals in Biratnagar with the Prime minister, even though, the policy of the university no more allows such affiliations. This is nothing new as they have been bowing down with the power since the beginning, but the new thing is that they had to do it secretly and shamefully. It seems they realize the total depreciation of their command and respect by doing these.

KUPA is busy these days in their election, but I am sure they will take account of all these once it is over.

BMC: Thank you very much sir.
Dr. Jha:Thanks