The Central Information Commission (CIC) has slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on the Banaras Hindu University for “harassing and desisting” a PhD scholar from pursuing his rights under the RTI Act.

Taking note of the University’s adverse behaviour, the apex information body has ordered an inquiry into the matter, besides directing its information officer to provide the details to the Varanasi-resident Raj Kumar Upadhyaya free of cost.

“Here was a poor student running from pillar to post for getting some information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, but in the process was charged excessively, abused and threatened,” Information Commissioner O P Kejariwal said while directing its vice chancellor to probe into the matter.

Upadhyaya, who had sought information on the university’s PhD rules, was allegedly abused and harassed by its officials, apparently unhappy over his invoking the provisions of the RTI Act for getting the details.

He was asked to cough up more than double the money as prescribed under the Act to have access to the information, Upadhyaya had claimed.

He had initially moved his RTI plea with BHU in January this year, but after being denied of the details he file an appeal before the CIC, which in its decision in October directed the University to provide him the information.

Upadhyay’s allegations came to CIC’s notice, when in a subsequent hearing to consider compliance of its decision, the applicant narrated the university’s reluctance to provide the information.

While reading on Internet I came across the following article on Tehelka.com. Just wanted to share with you so quoting a extract from it here…rest you can read on by clicking here.

RAJESH KUMAR Mishra, Congress MP from Varanasi, is leading a campaign against casteism at his alma mater Banaras Hindu University (BHU), alleging that its Vice-Chancellor Dr Panjab Singh has appointed Rajputs to all important posts and new recruitments. The “Thakurvaad” in BHU has Varanasi’s Brahmin academics up in arms, the Prime Minister’s Office has been requested to order an inquiry and fingers have been pointed at Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, himself a Thakur from Madhya Pradesh.

In a letter to the press, Mishra has accused Panjab Singh not only of caste bias in appointments but also of nepotism, financial irregularities and saffronisation and of violating the Banaras Hindu University Act, 1915, in the process. The letter includes a list of appointments of 105 teachers made since May 2005, all of whom are Thakurs. This is alleged to be about 30 percent of the total teaching appointments in the same period. However, these are allegedly concentrated in a few departments. Says a dissenting academic in Varanasi, “Of the available seats, 22.5 percent are reserved, so the percentage of Thakurs among the general category who have been appointed is inordinately high.” <Read More>.

I am not sure if the story is true or not, but castesim is really growing at a ferocious pace everywhere. Might be BHU has also come under its influence. I wish things go better from here on. I will like to see comments of the people on this topic to see what masses at BHU think.