Administrative Crisis at Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak
Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak experienced a significant administrative standoff this week, stemming from a contentious dispute over an executive council (EC) meeting. The conflict led to the suspension of the university registrar and a senior professor by the vice-chancellor, actions that were subsequently overturned following intervention from the governor's office.
Escalation of the Controversy
The controversy ignited on February 17 when Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajbir Singh took the drastic step of suspending Registrar Dr Krishan Kant and Prof Naseeb Singh Gill from the department of computer science and applications. This suspension was directly linked to opposition against an EC meeting scheduled for February 18, which was intended to address critical matters of faculty recruitment and appointments.
Adding to the tension, Prof Rajbir Singh's term as vice-chancellor is set to conclude on February 20. University insiders revealed that there were concerted efforts to finalize recruitment decisions before his tenure ended. The EC meeting, originally slated to be chaired by the VC, was ultimately cancelled on the explicit directions of the governor's office.
Key Actions and Reactions
Prior to the suspension, Registrar Dr Krishan Kant had issued a formal letter stating that no university officer would attend the EC meeting. This directive was based on objections raised by the state higher education department. As the situation intensified, the governor's office intervened with two separate orders on Wednesday: one mandating the cancellation of the EC meeting and another ordering the reinstatement of the registrar.
The unfolding events sparked visible unrest across the MDU campus. Professors and university employees organized a sit-in protest outside the vice-chancellor's office, voicing strong opposition to both the EC meeting and the suspension orders.
Allegations and Broader Implications
Professor Preeti Gulia came forward with serious allegations, claiming she endured mental harassment by the vice-chancellor over the past year and a half, which she said caused considerable distress to her family. She further asserted that the VC was shielding a close associate from complaints filed by research scholars and accused him of withholding pertinent facts.
Former non-teaching staff association president Anil Malhotra leveled additional accusations against Prof Rajbir Singh, alleging that during his six-year tenure as VC, he troubled faculty members, staff, and students. Malhotra also mentioned that allegations of corruption had surfaced during this period. He explained that the registrar attempted to prevent irregularities after the government directed that the EC meeting not proceed, leading to his suspension.
Official Statements and Cancellation
In compliance with the governor's office instructions, the university issued an official message confirming that the 304th EC meeting would not take place. The message clarified that the meeting was proposed in accordance with university rules and was to be held in the VC's chamber, but was cancelled following the directive.
Earlier, the higher education department highlighted a previous incident, noting that the 302nd EC meeting, which had been postponed via a letter dated January 14, 2026, was nevertheless conducted in violation of government orders. The department stated that decisions made during that meeting, particularly those related to appointments, would not receive approval. It further directed that the February 18 meeting be halted, emphasizing that the final decision rests with the government.
