Activist asked to produce proof of Indian citizenship by College Principal

A famous college in Thanjavur town, the Central part of Tamil Nadu, is in soup, as its Principal had, in a Right To Information (RTI) reply, sought a social activist to produce his proof of his Indian citizenship after he raised questions about college infrastructure, triggering a debate among the public and other stakeholders, writes R. Lenin, Senior Reporter, ETV Bharat, Chennai.

Chennai: A famous college in Thanjavur town, the Central part of Tamil Nadu, is in soup, as its Principal had, in a Right To Information (RTI) reply, sought a social activist to produce his proof of his Indian citizenship after he raised questions about college infrastructure, triggering a debate among the public and other stakeholders.

According to sources, J. Sureshkumar, an activist filed an RTI application seeking information on shoddy infrastructure of Raja Serfoji Government College. Further, he also raised the questions why the college management failed to take up repairing works of broken walls, as it paved the way for miscreants to trespass into the college and indulge in anti-social activities which also disturb people living in the locality. The activist also sought information on whether the college management had looked into these issues.

"But, the Principal, Senthamizh Selvi has asked me to produce my proof of Indian citizenship in her reply," Sureshkumar said while speaking to Etv Bharat. He further added, "I never thought I will be humiliated by her response. But, all my complaints regarding college infrastructure should get addressed. I have filed a complaint with the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (TNSIC) against the Public Information Officer (PIO) who filed the response," he said, adding that he would not take this issue lightly.

Senthamizh Selvi launched a scathing attack on Sureshkumar stating that he had always been a trouble-maker to the college. "We are taking necessary measures to protect college and students. As a college Principal, I could not always be glued to the college compound walls. There were no proper questions in the RTI application and it was like an 'empty paper'," she told the media. She also assured that broken compound walls around the college would be reconstructed as expeditiously as possible.