Clash Between NSUI Activists and Police at Gujarat University: Allegations of Nepotism in Hiring, Vice-Chancellor Requests Data

Clash Between NSUI Activists and Police at Gujarat University Over Nepotism Allegations

NSUI activists clashed with the police while staging a protest at Gujarat University. The protest aimed to highlight allegations that heads of various departments had hired their relatives and acquaintances as job trainees, offering them significant salaries despite questionable hiring practices.

Accusations of Nepotism in Job Trainee Hiring

The Congress-affiliated NSUI accused Gujarat University of employing relatives and associates of department heads as job trainees without a transparent recruitment process. Allegations targeted officials from the Examination Department, Forensic Science, School of Science, and the Administration Division, claiming they facilitated jobs for their wives, sisters-in-law, and other family members.

Vice-Chancellor Orders Collection of Trainee Data

In response to repeated protests by NSUI, Gujarat University’s Vice-Chancellor issued a circular directing all departments to submit a list of job trainees. The data aims to ensure transparency and accountability in hiring practices.

Registrar’s Role Under Scrutiny

NSUI leaders, including Vikram Singh Gohil, raised concerns about potential collusion involving the university registrar, whose signature is required on job trainee contracts. They alleged that many trainees are being reappointed without a fair process, with over 20 names reportedly linked to senior officials.

NSUI Demands Transparency in Recruitment

NSUI accused syndicate members and department heads of favoring their relatives for trainee positions, with salaries ranging from ₹35,000 to ₹60,000. Prominent individuals like Rishikesh Joshi, Nirav Rawal, Kiran Singh Rajput, Kalpen Vora, and Rajesh Damor were named in the allegations.

Vice-Chancellor’s Statement on Recruitment Practices

Dr. Neerja Gupta, the Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University, clarified that departments hire job trainees based on individual requirements without a centralized process. Following NSUI’s allegations, a circular was issued to collect data on all job trainees to evaluate the hiring process and ensure fairness.