"Copy-cat" minister to guard higher studies

BANGALORE, April 30: It is said that everything is possible in politics and is rightly so if one goes by the track record of the present Ka...

BANGALORE, April 30: It is said that everything is possible in politics and is rightly so if one goes by the track record of the present Karnataka Higher Education Minister B Somashekar.

Somashekar, who was made the guardian of higher education in the State by Chief Minister J H Patel ten months ago, was guilty of copying during an examination which cost him his post graduate degree. Whether Patel (known for his wit) entrusted him with the education job keeping in in mind his academic record or was it a coincidence is not known.

But one thing is clear that Somashekar will be able to understand the present day students’ problems better, especially those related to examination.

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According to records available with the Bangalore University, in June 1978, Somashekar was caught copying and in possession of a manuscript while writing his First Year LLB examination from the University Law College, Bangalore. The matter was referred to the Malpractices Enquiry Committee constituted by the University to look into the malpractices committed by Somashekar and 74 others. After cross examination, Somashekar admitted his guilt before the chief superintendent of the Committee.

In its recommendation, the committee said that Somashekar who was found in possession of manuscript and copying should be denied the benefit of his performance, if any, at the FY LLB examination held during June 1978.

“Further he may be debarred from appearing for the said examination till October/November 1979 examinations. He may be permitted to appear for FY LL B examination during May/June 1980 and onwards,” the Committee observed.

These recommendations were placed before the 27th meeting of the Bangalore University Syndicate held in April 1980, chaired by the Vice Chancellor T R Jayaraman. The Syndicate accepted the recommendations of the Committee.

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Somashekar is presently on a study tour abroad where he is also expected to deliver lectures at various universities. Whether studying the level of copying in examinations there is in his agenda, is not known. But he has promised to enrich his knowledge on higher education and implement new ideas back home.

Somashekar, who is a BA degree holder according to the official records, seems to have given up his plans to pursue a law degree after he was debarred for two years. In 1985, he became the Minister for Horticulture and in 1987 he held the portfolio of Minister for Primary and Secondary Education. After Deve Gowda became prime minister, Somashekar was inducted by Patel in his cabinet as Higher Education Minister.