You are accused of promoting the RSS agenda on campus. Did your RSS connection get you the V-C’s seat in HPU?This is factually wrong. I have no direct connections with the RSS, even though I personally feel this is a social organisation that has done tremendous welfare work. Charges that I pushed the RSS agenda are politically motivated. My sole agenda is to make HPU the top-notch university of the region.But the saffronisation is all too visible. You appointed people with RSS backgrounds at the helm of affairs.All appointments are merit-based. All university rules are honoured while selecting staff, be it in teaching or non-teaching departments. If, in addition to having matchless track records, they have some affiliation to social organisations like the RSS, there should not be any hue and cry. Merit has always been paramount for me.Are you an astrologer? Has astrology brought you closer to top politicians of the region?Astrology is a hobby that I have nurtured since childhood. My father was a professional astrologer. My hobby has definitely brought me close to certain leaders but that is natural. My being a V-C also brings me close to top leaders and bureaucrats. But what’s wrong in that?We hear there has been widespread opposition to your plans to introduce Astrology and Karam Kand as subjects at the university.Astrology, I believe, is a science based on astronomical calculations. This should be made compulsory in all universities. We wanted to take the lead by making it an optional subject in the Sanskrit department. But there was opposition from political outfits who don’t care about the motives.What about the allegations of your saffronising the campus?That is all politics. There is no attempt to vitiate the university atmosphere with any ideology.There are allegations that you appointed your wife in the university.Yes, but she is fully qualified for the post she is holding in the International Centre for Distance Education Learning (ICDEL). She also went through the all procedures and was interviewed by a panel of experts before being selected.
