The demand for appointing a vice-chancellor from the Telangana region for the NG Ranga Agriculture University took an ugly turn on Wednesday, when students from Telangana threw eggs at in-charge V-C V. Nagi Reddy.
Mr Reddy, who is also principal secretary in the agriculture department, had come to the campus to garland the statue of Acharya N.G. Ranga on his birth anniversary.
Students obstructed his entry and demanded that the government appoint a new V-C from the T-region. University officials tried to pacify the agitators by saying that it is an honour to the university that tributes are paid to N.G. Ranga on his birth anniversary, but this did not mollify the students.
Police had to be called in to disperse the agitating students. When the V-C tried to enter the venue with the help of the police, students started hurling eggs at the official party. The police lathi-charged the students and took some of them into custody. Mr Reddy garlanded the statue and left the campus.
The university’s board of management has recommended that noted soil scientist Alluri Padma Raju be the new V-C. He is from the Andhra region. The state government forwarded Mr Raju’s name to the Governor for approval three weeks ago.
The university has a different selection method, with the state government being the final authority. There is no involvement of University Grants Commi-ssion. The universi-ty’s board of 21 members recommends a name. There are four representatives from MLAs and MPs, a progressive farmer, representatives from panchayat raj institutions and agro-industries on the board.