The Tamil Nadu Education Department has placed the principal and the head of the English department at the Government Arts and Science College for Women in Alangulam on compulsory wait an administrative sidelining following allegations that they permitted a representative of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to take part in a college event held in August.
According to reports, Principal E. Sheela and English Department Head K. Shanmuga Sundara Raj had invited several individuals affiliated with political organizations to attend an event on August 6. The invitees included TPV Vaikunda Raja (district secretary of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu), TPV Karunakara Raja (district secretary of Makkal Needhi Maiam), and TPVV Vibin Chakkaravarthy (district secretary of TVK).
The three guests, who are also executives of the TPV Group a business conglomerate involved in oil and rice milling as well as cinema operations donated 25 computers to the college. The computers were formally handed over during the event by Vibin, the TVK functionary.
When approached for comment, Principal Sheela stated that the guests had been invited strictly in their capacity as TPV Group administrators and as representatives of a traders’ association, not for any political affiliation. “They expressed interest in donating 25 computers to the college, and I accepted. The controversy began only after a video of the event went viral,” she explained.
In response, P. Victoria Thangam, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education for Tirunelveli has said that disciplinary action was initiated directly by the Directorate of Collegiate Education and that she had not received prior notification regarding the decision.
(With inputs from The New Indian Express)
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