Protesting the Mafia culture in Education
With entry of private sector, Nepal's education system has undergone a complete polarization. Our educationists and experts have constantly written how Nepalis from hinterland have been forced to forego quality education. On the other hand, people who are in Kathmandu and surrounding areas have good access to education but that also comes with back breaking tuition fee. Either way, Nepalis society has suffered a lot. On top of all these sagas of having or not having quality education centers, whatever produce we are getting is divisionary. No need to say, our education system prepares two types of citizen. All over the world, people are talking about digital divide, but in Nepal we are yet to overcome a sharp division in even primary education. But the Parents of both these classes are suffering. Parents in rural Nepal have to suffer because their dream of having their wards enrolled in good education is yet to concretize; and the parents in urban Nepal, too, are not happy because they have to struggle a lot to pay hefty sum for the education of their wards. At the cost of the nation, our society and individuals, a group is thriving and constantly milking Nepal's education sector. Everyone knows that things are not going well in our education sector. Our experts can even pinpoint who are these charlatans and thugs in the garb of educationist and academicians. But, the problem is that they are too scared to speak out and tell the truth. Indeed, the Education mafia is so powerful in Nepal that they can do anything. They can systematically mobilize people, they can grease the palms of politicians and they can shut the righteous voices violently.
Kathmandu University is a typical case in this respect. For last 16 years, Prof. Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma has remained in chair using his mafia tentacles. Time and again there have been protests against his highhandedness. And many a time, he ruthlessly sacked faculties, defamed staffs and tried to convince everyone that these faculties and staffs are selfish and disturbing his noble work. He is the one who is fulfilling his selfish ends, but bad name is given to all others. However, things have changed this time. The unity and perseverance which the faculties have displayed and the leadership which KUPA personalities provided are remarkable. Many of us have overcome threats, intimidation and even temptations. We are here at this stage not because of our unity alone; we are here because we know Suresh Raj Sharma like the back of our palm. Our common detestation and abhorrence of Suresh Raj Sharma is profound because we know that without his removal academia in KU will never be healthy. To make the academia healthy, to get rid of the nepotistic and corrupt charlatans, we are united. And this unity forms the basis of the exemplary role played by faculties, staffs and students of KU in ongoing fight against despotism and nepotism in KU.
Recently, we read how one board member of Nobel Medical College Nepalgunj(read here)took help of makers of New Nepal to thrash other board members. Reportedly Prachanda has apologized for the incident. So, we are not going into that aspect. Rather it would be worthwhile to discuss how pure and clean our board members and senators are. As often claimed by us, this incident clearly shows that whatever is happening in KU is being emulated elsewhere also. In KU, the senate members and trustees all are handpicked and dissenters are never repeated. Every member, whosoever opposes nepotism, corruption and despotism of Suresh Raj Sharmaj, she/he is being sidelined in a humiliating manner. Lately, Suresh Raj is getting things done through his manipulations and by ingratiating with the politicians, so he has not taken recourse to the things like what has happened to the board members Nobel Medical college. But, in recent past, we have witnessed that he has also hired criminals to attack and torture faculties and staffs who were demanding academic freedom in KU in a peaceful manner. He has not only mobilized local goons to thrash staffs of KU but has also mobilized his corrupt siblings to attack founding members of KU. What to talk about mobilization of academic goons like Bhola Thapa? The harassment triggered death of Buddhi Bahadur has put off even many past students of KU who are ready to vouch for geniality and honesty of late Buddhi Bahadur Biswakarma. Before, people never believed that for the sake of chair, Suresh Raj would stoop so low but now people are realizing that this fellow is vitiating an entire academia of Nepal.
With incidents in KU, people have already reckoned that the champion of "Private sector" Mr. Suresh Raj Sharma is nothing else than a mafia who wants to control KU for ever. After the death of Mr. Buddhi, it is a certainty that Suresh Raj would do anything for his total control. He would continue to impose nepotism, resort to corruption and throw away good teachers. But the worry is not his crimes only. The main worry is such a criminal is allowed to function without interruption and without questioning. Consequently, our society is now witnessing birth of many other Suresh Raj's. One Suresh Raj of Nobel Medical college, who goes by the name of Dr. Sunil Sharma, has already employed Suresh Raj's KU tactics with the board members of Nobel Medical college. Moreover, exactly the same way as Suresh Raj Sharma does, Dr. Sunil has also selected Dhulikhel area for emulating Suresh Raj. In Kamidanda never Dhulikhel, the bastion of Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma, helpless board members of Nobel Medical Colledge were humiliated, tortured and harassed in such an intimidating manner that some of them are fearing for their lives. It is unbelievable that merely for controlling a board, someone subjects erstwhile colleagues to such a inhuman treatment.
Reportedly, Nepal Medical Council is organizing a protest program against the Maoists for carrying out this heinous crime. They contend that the perpetrator Dr. Sunil Sharma is protected and shielded by the Maoist leadership. But the question is why this opposition is against the Maoists only? Why not to oppose all such people who are in academia? Handful of teachers from Nepalgunj gets beaten and the Nepal Medical Council gets enraged. But what do you think about constant beating, harassment, termination and defamation of KU faculties, staffs and founders by Sursh Raj? Should not Nepal Medical Council object to Suresh Raj also? Merely opposing or criticizing the perpetrators is not enough. It is high time that the root cause is pinpointed and attacked. Undoutedly, the root cause is Suresh Raj who is not only instigating people like Bhola Thapa but also inspiring people like Dr. Sunil Sharma. If likes of Suresh Raj are not overthrown, then there will be many more goonda (goons) elements in academia using violence to silence the critics.
'YCL abducts, brutalizes docs, others'
POST REPORT
KATHMANDU, Nov 20 - Cadres of the Maoist youth wing Young Communist League (YCL) allegedly abducted six persons including doctors and directors of Biratnagar-based Nobel Medical College Sunday and tortured them brutally for 14 hours at an unidentified location near Kamidanda in Kavre district.
According to one of the victims, Dr Gyanendra Giri, chairman of the college board of directors, they were blindfolded and beaten up from head to toe. 'The YCL cadres did everything except kill us,' Dr Giri said at a press meet organized by the victims in the capital Tuesday with a view to exposing the abduction, torture and intimidation. They were freed at 4:30 am on Monday.
"May be this is my last meeting with you. If the YCL abducts one of us (six) again within the coming 24 hours, it is certain they will kill us. You need not search for our bodies for confirmation before you headline our ill fate," said another victim, hospital director Aditya Khanal. According to him, the abductors had threatened to kill them within hours if they disclosed anything about their abduction.
The victims also claimed that the Maoists tortured them on the instruction of one 'Dr' Sunil Sharma, who reportedly has close links with top political leaders of almost all major political parties. Sharma had a dispute with board members regarding college shares after he was dismissed from membership of the board of directors as per a court verdict. However, the core issue in the dispute is yet to be sought out, as they could not elaborate matters during the press meet.
According to Dr Navin Sharma, chairman of the college advisory committee who is also director of the National Academy of Medical Education (NAME), six persons including chairman Dr Giri, directors Nava Raj Pandey, Umesh Pandey and Aditya Khanal, shareholder Janak Rijal and Santoshmani Neupane were abducted from Tilganga upon their arrival at Tribuvan International Airport.
According to Dr Sharma they arrived in the capital after Ananta asked them to do so to settle the issue. Ananta had said to Dr Giri that they had arranged time on Sunday with (Maoist) Chairman Prachanda and second-in-command Dr Baburam Bhattarai to discuss the issue, Dr Sharma said. "So, they arrived there. But, unfortunately the group that came all the way from Biratnagar was suddenly abducted from just outside the airport," he added.
The victims claimed that YCL Valley chief "Sagar" and Maoist central leader "Ananta" were directly involved in threatening and torturing the doctors and board members. However, Sagar denied any YCL involvement . "The dispute is entirely about a deal between the two groups. We have no connection at all," claimed Sagar, adding, "The accusation against us is completely baseless."
However, when the victims met Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai at the Maoist headquarters in the capital Tuesday, the Maoist chief apologized to them and confessed the YCL's involvement, according to Dr Giri.
"Now we know that Sunil Sharma misled our cadres including Sagar. So we will take action against them," Dr Giri quoted Prachanda as saying. According to Dr Giri, Bhattarai had requested not to disclose the affair to media and committed himself to supporting the victims.
According to Dr Sharma, Maoist leaders including Ananta had been supporting Sunil for the last two years. "The top Maoist leadership was frequently informed about the threats and intimidation but they did not take any action to stop that," Dr Sharma claimed. The victims also met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Monday. He assured them that the culprits would be brought to book.
Dr Sharma accused Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala of supporting Sunil Sharma. "He pressured the management to adjust Sunil into the board," Dr Sharma claimed. However, Dr Koirala denied any involvement. He said he had nothing to do with the college. "Bringing Dr Giri and Sunil together at my home, I had suggested to them to work together without quarreling," Dr Koirala said, adding, "That is all that I did. But local NC leaders themselves have been conspiring against me."
Posted on: 2007-11-20 20:28:07 (Server Time)
Kathmandu University is a typical case in this respect. For last 16 years, Prof. Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma has remained in chair using his mafia tentacles. Time and again there have been protests against his highhandedness. And many a time, he ruthlessly sacked faculties, defamed staffs and tried to convince everyone that these faculties and staffs are selfish and disturbing his noble work. He is the one who is fulfilling his selfish ends, but bad name is given to all others. However, things have changed this time. The unity and perseverance which the faculties have displayed and the leadership which KUPA personalities provided are remarkable. Many of us have overcome threats, intimidation and even temptations. We are here at this stage not because of our unity alone; we are here because we know Suresh Raj Sharma like the back of our palm. Our common detestation and abhorrence of Suresh Raj Sharma is profound because we know that without his removal academia in KU will never be healthy. To make the academia healthy, to get rid of the nepotistic and corrupt charlatans, we are united. And this unity forms the basis of the exemplary role played by faculties, staffs and students of KU in ongoing fight against despotism and nepotism in KU.
Recently, we read how one board member of Nobel Medical College Nepalgunj(read here)took help of makers of New Nepal to thrash other board members. Reportedly Prachanda has apologized for the incident. So, we are not going into that aspect. Rather it would be worthwhile to discuss how pure and clean our board members and senators are. As often claimed by us, this incident clearly shows that whatever is happening in KU is being emulated elsewhere also. In KU, the senate members and trustees all are handpicked and dissenters are never repeated. Every member, whosoever opposes nepotism, corruption and despotism of Suresh Raj Sharmaj, she/he is being sidelined in a humiliating manner. Lately, Suresh Raj is getting things done through his manipulations and by ingratiating with the politicians, so he has not taken recourse to the things like what has happened to the board members Nobel Medical college. But, in recent past, we have witnessed that he has also hired criminals to attack and torture faculties and staffs who were demanding academic freedom in KU in a peaceful manner. He has not only mobilized local goons to thrash staffs of KU but has also mobilized his corrupt siblings to attack founding members of KU. What to talk about mobilization of academic goons like Bhola Thapa? The harassment triggered death of Buddhi Bahadur has put off even many past students of KU who are ready to vouch for geniality and honesty of late Buddhi Bahadur Biswakarma. Before, people never believed that for the sake of chair, Suresh Raj would stoop so low but now people are realizing that this fellow is vitiating an entire academia of Nepal.
With incidents in KU, people have already reckoned that the champion of "Private sector" Mr. Suresh Raj Sharma is nothing else than a mafia who wants to control KU for ever. After the death of Mr. Buddhi, it is a certainty that Suresh Raj would do anything for his total control. He would continue to impose nepotism, resort to corruption and throw away good teachers. But the worry is not his crimes only. The main worry is such a criminal is allowed to function without interruption and without questioning. Consequently, our society is now witnessing birth of many other Suresh Raj's. One Suresh Raj of Nobel Medical college, who goes by the name of Dr. Sunil Sharma, has already employed Suresh Raj's KU tactics with the board members of Nobel Medical college. Moreover, exactly the same way as Suresh Raj Sharma does, Dr. Sunil has also selected Dhulikhel area for emulating Suresh Raj. In Kamidanda never Dhulikhel, the bastion of Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma, helpless board members of Nobel Medical Colledge were humiliated, tortured and harassed in such an intimidating manner that some of them are fearing for their lives. It is unbelievable that merely for controlling a board, someone subjects erstwhile colleagues to such a inhuman treatment.
Reportedly, Nepal Medical Council is organizing a protest program against the Maoists for carrying out this heinous crime. They contend that the perpetrator Dr. Sunil Sharma is protected and shielded by the Maoist leadership. But the question is why this opposition is against the Maoists only? Why not to oppose all such people who are in academia? Handful of teachers from Nepalgunj gets beaten and the Nepal Medical Council gets enraged. But what do you think about constant beating, harassment, termination and defamation of KU faculties, staffs and founders by Sursh Raj? Should not Nepal Medical Council object to Suresh Raj also? Merely opposing or criticizing the perpetrators is not enough. It is high time that the root cause is pinpointed and attacked. Undoutedly, the root cause is Suresh Raj who is not only instigating people like Bhola Thapa but also inspiring people like Dr. Sunil Sharma. If likes of Suresh Raj are not overthrown, then there will be many more goonda (goons) elements in academia using violence to silence the critics.
'YCL abducts, brutalizes docs, others'
POST REPORT
KATHMANDU, Nov 20 - Cadres of the Maoist youth wing Young Communist League (YCL) allegedly abducted six persons including doctors and directors of Biratnagar-based Nobel Medical College Sunday and tortured them brutally for 14 hours at an unidentified location near Kamidanda in Kavre district.
According to one of the victims, Dr Gyanendra Giri, chairman of the college board of directors, they were blindfolded and beaten up from head to toe. 'The YCL cadres did everything except kill us,' Dr Giri said at a press meet organized by the victims in the capital Tuesday with a view to exposing the abduction, torture and intimidation. They were freed at 4:30 am on Monday.
"May be this is my last meeting with you. If the YCL abducts one of us (six) again within the coming 24 hours, it is certain they will kill us. You need not search for our bodies for confirmation before you headline our ill fate," said another victim, hospital director Aditya Khanal. According to him, the abductors had threatened to kill them within hours if they disclosed anything about their abduction.
The victims also claimed that the Maoists tortured them on the instruction of one 'Dr' Sunil Sharma, who reportedly has close links with top political leaders of almost all major political parties. Sharma had a dispute with board members regarding college shares after he was dismissed from membership of the board of directors as per a court verdict. However, the core issue in the dispute is yet to be sought out, as they could not elaborate matters during the press meet.
According to Dr Navin Sharma, chairman of the college advisory committee who is also director of the National Academy of Medical Education (NAME), six persons including chairman Dr Giri, directors Nava Raj Pandey, Umesh Pandey and Aditya Khanal, shareholder Janak Rijal and Santoshmani Neupane were abducted from Tilganga upon their arrival at Tribuvan International Airport.
According to Dr Sharma they arrived in the capital after Ananta asked them to do so to settle the issue. Ananta had said to Dr Giri that they had arranged time on Sunday with (Maoist) Chairman Prachanda and second-in-command Dr Baburam Bhattarai to discuss the issue, Dr Sharma said. "So, they arrived there. But, unfortunately the group that came all the way from Biratnagar was suddenly abducted from just outside the airport," he added.
The victims claimed that YCL Valley chief "Sagar" and Maoist central leader "Ananta" were directly involved in threatening and torturing the doctors and board members. However, Sagar denied any YCL involvement . "The dispute is entirely about a deal between the two groups. We have no connection at all," claimed Sagar, adding, "The accusation against us is completely baseless."
However, when the victims met Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai at the Maoist headquarters in the capital Tuesday, the Maoist chief apologized to them and confessed the YCL's involvement, according to Dr Giri.
"Now we know that Sunil Sharma misled our cadres including Sagar. So we will take action against them," Dr Giri quoted Prachanda as saying. According to Dr Giri, Bhattarai had requested not to disclose the affair to media and committed himself to supporting the victims.
According to Dr Sharma, Maoist leaders including Ananta had been supporting Sunil for the last two years. "The top Maoist leadership was frequently informed about the threats and intimidation but they did not take any action to stop that," Dr Sharma claimed. The victims also met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Monday. He assured them that the culprits would be brought to book.
Dr Sharma accused Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala of supporting Sunil Sharma. "He pressured the management to adjust Sunil into the board," Dr Sharma claimed. However, Dr Koirala denied any involvement. He said he had nothing to do with the college. "Bringing Dr Giri and Sunil together at my home, I had suggested to them to work together without quarreling," Dr Koirala said, adding, "That is all that I did. But local NC leaders themselves have been conspiring against me."
Posted on: 2007-11-20 20:28:07 (Server Time)
1 comment:
Yes there is a lot margin in the economic level of people in nepal. But, saying that there are also a lot of government colleges with very low tuition fees. Most of these colleges are not run properly because the students are busy protesting for the "cause of whatever". So these students are ruining their own future There are no education mafias. The very best students come out of government colleges. Who cares if private college have high tuition fees and regular classes if the government college student can beat them in entrance exams.
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