The diversity programme, aided by the Ford Foundation, had been working under Devy's guidance for more than a year now. Devy put in his papers claiming he wished to give more time for his research work on tribals.

Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane has accepted his resignation.

However, according to reliable university sources, Devy apparently resigned in a huff following a brief meeting with Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane. Devy, who had taken an appointment with the V-C to discuss future plans for the campus programme, was made to wait for a while before being called in. He was accompanied by S R Pandya.

The sources said during the meeting, Kane, who was reportedly very busy handling other work simultaneously, did not reportedly show much interest in his suggestions.

Apparently upset, Devy told the V-C that he had come to put in his papers. When asked the reason, he said he wanted to devote more time on the activities of the Bhasha Research Centre.

Incidentally, some syndicate and the programme's core committee members had earlier objected to the way the programme was being implemented.

Kane, when contacted, denied having cold-shouldered Devy. He claimed that Devy had spoken to him earlier that he wished to quit from the post to be able to work more on research for tribals. ``Not accepting his resignation would mean forcing him to do the job,'' Kane pointed out.