Jul 24 (Mumbai Mirrror): Criticism about the meeting between Mumbai University Vice Chancellor, Sanjay Deshmukh, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray, at the latter's house (pictured) grew louder on Thursday. Calling his actions a violation to the Maharashtra University Act 1994, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Sachin Sawant stated that the party will send a written representation to the governor, C. Vidyasagar Rao, to demand action against it.

Deshmukh had called on Thackeray on Wednesday, days after taking over as the vice-chancellor of Mumbai University. He told Mumbai Mirror that he had called on the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief "to decide a road-map for the university" and that it was part of a string of meetings with politicians that he had planned. Former VC's and educationists that Mirror spoke to had criticised and disapproved of Deshmukh's plan.

Quoting a section in the Maharashtra University act, Sawant stated that the VC cannot be involved in any form of political movement or activity. "The Mumbai University's Vice-Chancellor should be politically independent. The subclause in the Act is meant for that very purpose and he has violated it. Political persons can approach him in his office. But it is wrong if he is going out to meet them at their residence," said Sawant. He added that as an MPCC spokesperson he will send a letter to the governor on Friday to demand an explanation from the VC. Despite attempts, the governor could not be reached for comment.

Soon after Deshmukh called on Thackeray, former Pro Vice-Chancellor A. D. Sawant and other educationists criticised the "politicisation of education". They said that it was inappropriate for the highest officer of the University to go out and meet political leaders. They felt that he can instead invite representatives of political parties for an interaction. Incidentally, Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray is being prepped to participate in the university's forthcoming senate elections.