MiD DAY talks to gay literary activist and English Prof R Raj Rao on being ignored for dept head post at varsity
MiD DAY talks to gay literary activist and English Prof R Raj Rao on being ignored for dept head post at varsity
Higher-ups at the University of Pune have their hands full as a controversy rages over the appointment of a former Marathi department professor as the head of the English department. Those who feel left out because of the decision have also lashed out at the selection process.
Gay literary activist Professor R Raj Rao, who has been teaching English at the university for 22 years, said he was hurt and upset over the appointment as he felt unjustly sidelined.
These days the university is abuzz with talk that Raj Rao was deliberately overlooked because of his outspoken support of the gay community, but university officials rubbished the suggestion.
"The two senior professors, Korde and Raj Rao, don't get along with each other. If we make any one of them the head, the other won't listen to him and that's why we appointed an outsider," said V N Gade, director, Board of College and University Development.
As the issue hots up, what with gay activists throwing their weight behind Raj Rao and the university getting defensive, MiD DAY gets talking to the professor to know exactly what he feels.
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Why did you get sidelined during the selection?
I don't know. I believe that I have the years of experience and meet all the other criteria. Not just that, what was the need to bring an outsider when there are eligible people within the department?
Is it true that you don't get along with other senior professors such as Korde?
Yes there are some issues. If someone keeps sending me curt letters and does things that don't go down well with me, I am only human if I react in a similar manner. However, that hasn't affected my professional situation ever.
Did you know that the University of Pune is citing that as the reason for your non-selection?
I am shocked. The university had said it was because I refused to do interviews of PhD candidates. But that would take 15 days and my courses would have suffered. However, it is quite surprising if they say it's because I don't get along with a colleague that I was passed over. It's like I am being punished like a schoolchild.
What do you think about the university's reasoning for passing you over?
The university hasn't yet given me a reason, but if this is what they are stating I must say their attitude is discriminatory. They are discriminating against me. I don't know if they have this prejudice because I am westernised and non-Marathi speaking or because I don't exactly fit in like the rest. But I would like to point out that not attending meetings or not getting along with people never came in the way of appointments of erstwhile professors, so why this bias against me?
Are you going to lodge a formal protest?
Not just me but other professors in our department are upset as well. The only thing is no one is coming out before the media. We have been asking for a meeting with the vice-chancellor but he hasn't yet given us time.
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