The ongoing spat between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang and renowned progressive farmer Avtar Singh Dhindsa, who is also a member of the PAU Board of Management, refuses to die down despite the fact that Dhindsa's term as BoM member ends today.

The standoff began during a board meeting held on March 31 after which PAU V-C shot off a letter to Dhindsa seeking 'public apology' for making certain remarks. Following this, Dhindsa had asked the V-C to call an emergency meeting of BoM to sort out the issue. While the V-C did not heed to the request, the university which is supposed to hold a meeting of BoM every two months has not held any meeting since March 31.

A fuming Dhindsa said, "The Vice-Chancellor does not want to face me and that is why he has not called the meeting. I had sent him a reminder but it was evident that he is waiting for my term to get over." Attacking the V-C, Dhindsa added, "By avoiding me, the V-C has sent out a clear message that he is hiding something. If he was so clear in his dealings, he should have called a meeting of the BoM. All I wanted to know from the V-C was that since he has been on MoU signing spree, what has the university gained from all this."

Dhindsa added, "The V-C had written a letter to me and I replied to him. The courtesy says that the V-C too should have replied. It pains to see as the alumnus of the university where my alma mater is heading."

... contd.