Editor,
This letter is written out of genuine concerns over the current raging controversy relating to KJPA and NHLMB sponsorship of MLCU. Doubts have been raised over the sincerity of the sponsors; aspersions are cast on the role of individuals and institutions involved; insinuations made about the gullibility of the KJPA and of it being duped by the NHLMB; allegations of mismanagement and irregularities by the sponsors involved are continuously being aired by both the print and the electronic media.
Based on RTI data, people are now questioning the propriety of equity participation by both sponsors especially over the MLCU endowment fund. Questions, right or wrong , have also been raised over NLHMB sincerity and intention . Assertions have been made that the KJPA had been duped and that its assets have been bartered away. Sentiments and emotions of the KJP faithful over the issue has now been raised to fever pitch. In the absence of any clarification from the KJPA, confusion continues to prevail and meetings organised by concerned members of the KJP has only generated more heat than light. Shrill hysteria is starting to manifest itself. That is worrying.
As one who has served in communally sensitive districts of India, religious hysteria is considered the most potent contributor towards break down of law and order along communal lines. It needs to be nipped in the bud before it can cause unwarranted destruction and mayhem in its wake. There is no reason to believe that the situation in Shillong is any different. Therefore the administration needs to rise to the occasion. If there is religious outrage over the issue it needs to be assuaged. If people feel suspicious and insecure, they need to be assured that the administration is alive to the problem and will intervene in the matter.
MLCU is a private university set up under an Act of the State, hence the onus is on the Government to address the issue. It needs to immediately set up a High Level enquiry into the whole sordid affair. It must be an impartial body but with enough teeth to call for evidence, witnesses and records from all concerned, be it institutions or individuals. It should have a definite time frame to present its findings. The main objective of the enquiry is to separate fact from fiction; present the real truth and recommend strict penalties under law for any who are found guilty. The mandate and findings of such an enquiry must then be placed in the public domain. The enquiry should be designed to bring back the confidence of the people in the Rule of Law. This is in the interest of the public at large. I sincerely believe that it is what all right thinking people must demand!
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Shillong-2