Ahmedabad: Gujarat University on Thursday announced the cancellation of an MoU and related arrangements with Dronacharya Academy of Shooting and Archery (DASA) following an agitation by ABVP activists over the manner in which the academy’s operations had been handed over to a private agency.The issue had reportedly been in controversy for some time. The university had developed the Dronacharya Academy of Shooting and Archery by spending crores of rupees on infrastructure and equipment. The academy was subsequently handed over to an agency, which, according to allegations raised by students and university activists, was linked to syndicate member Ashish Amin.Questions had earlier been raised over the alleged involvement of the syndicate member in the agency. Despite the controversy and a temporary suspension of the arrangement, the academy was again handed over during the final phase of the previous vice-chancellor’s tenure.On Thursday, a large number of ABVP activists gathered on the university campus and demanded immediate cancellation of the tender and MoU. The protesters attempted to meet the vice-chancellor and registrar and raised slogans over the issue. At one point, activists reportedly knocked on a closed door while seeking to meet the registrar.Amid the escalating protest, the university officially announced that all MoUs entered into with Dronacharya Academy were being cancelled with immediate effect.The university also indicated that the entire matter could be examined by a committee headed by a retired judge in the coming days.The development has once again brought scrutiny on decisions taken during the previous vice-chancellor’s tenure. Questions have also been raised regarding the alleged involvement of some syndicate members in financial activities, tenders, agencies and contracts associated with the university.
