Academicians, pointing out that Vora's dismissal without any prior notice, was unfair, said the government had shown a biased attitude. Claiming that there were instances in the past when other vice-chancellors had been on tours, they said academics should be kept independent of political interference.

Said Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane, ``As a vice-chancellor of a university, I think the method adopted was wrong.'' However, he said, he was not aware whether the state government had served him a notice or whether they had instituted an inquiry against him.

The general consensus was that university affairs and authorities should not be answerable to government authorities nor should their action be questioned.

According to most of the university staff, Vora was known for his academic excellence and was never part of the power race. Senior senate member Nikhil Desai, who is a close associate of Vora, said even when Vora was the principal of the H L College of Commerce, he never aspired for the seat of the V-C, though he could file the nomination papers.

Desai claimed that even after the seat fell vacant, and many applied for the post, Vora never filed the nomination papers.

M Salat, senior senate member and professor at the English department, said Vora kept out of all power and politics throughout his academic career. Salat claimed that he had made it to the post not because of any political influence, but due to his academic achievements. Senior academician of MSU Amita Verma said the governor and the university chancellor should have behaved in a more rational manner. Pointing out that as the governor appointed a university V-C, the decision to oust him should also be his. ``This was no reason for the government to ask Vora to vacate his seat,'' said Verma.

H C Shukul of the Politician Science department was also critical of the move. ``This is not how the government is expected to behave with an academician of Vora's cadre,'' he said, adding, the government should have at least considered his sincerity and dedication towards his job during the past few years.