West Bengal’s Aliah University is again in the news and over a more serious issue this time – a scholarship scam, pertaining to Rs 16,000 stipend given per student under the OBC scheme, sanctioned by the state’s backward classes welfare department.

The university has filed FIRs against more than 600 individuals from outside the varsity and 69 of its own students for submitting “verified” forms after using the forged seal and signature of the university authority concerned.

The scam allegations come on the back of more trivial issues that have been plaguing the university’s three campuses in Kolkata’s New Town, Taltala and Park Circus since 2015.

Earlier known as Mohammedan College of Calcutta, the institution was conferred university status in 2008 by the then Left government of West Bengal, as per the recommendations of the Sachar Committee for the uplift of minorities.

Studies at the college have been hampered over the size of marksheets, “unIslamic” toilet set-up, grace marks for promotion, AICTE approval, as well as frequent charges of corruption in purchase of various items. More damaging have been the charges of misuse of power by the vice-chancellor that culminated with the slogan “V-C hatao, Aliah bachao” – an allegation that former V-C Abu Taleb Khan termed a “conspiracy”.

Earlier, a report was published on conflicts between members of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP)-led students’ union of the varsity.

What now?

According to the current acting V-C Dr Nurshad Ali: “Last month, officials from the backward classes welfare department, which sanctions scholarships for students belonging to SC, ST, and OBC category, sent us 1,400 application forms. During inspection, it was found that 700 applications were filed by ‘students’ of Aliah University, when actually 631 applicants were outsiders and only 69 were university students. The so-called verified forms had been submitted at the sub-divisional offices of the student’s respective residential address area by forging the signature and stamp of the university authority concerned, instead of submitting the filled-in form at the university.”

He added that it was decided at the last executive council meeting of March 7 that the university would file a police case against the complicit students. But the matter got delayed because some students insisted their forms were actually verified by the university officials. “We don’t want any genuine student to suffer. Till now, we have filed FIRs against at least 630 students whose forms were found forged and will file the other FIRs once our verification finishes,” Dr Ali said.

Modus operandi

Confidential sources revealed the possible way in which the fraud was perpetuated, alleging a nexus between student leaders, their retinues and the officers who look after scholarship matters. Exchange of money may be involved, they said.

First, the printed forms of students and so-called students of the university (who possibly made a deal with the student leaders involved) are sent to officers who nominally check and pass on the applications. Then, the students submit a verified hard copy to the sub-divisional office. It is possible that the students, who may be student leaders, were verifying the printed scholarship forms, instead of the official concerned of the university, though a forged official seal and stamp as well as forged signatures of the official concerned.

The university could not trace the forgery since the scholarship forms have to be submitted to the respective sub-divisional offices.

When Dr Ali was asked why students from other institutions had chosen Aliah University to apply for the scholarship in large numbers, he said: “Such a large number of students committing forgery means there must be a lobby between the student leaders and university officials, without whom no one can dare take such a step. I wish the police will investigate the matter and catch the culprits.”

Kazi Minhazul Islam, a first-year M.Tech student in the computer science and engineering department, blames both the university authorities and unscrupulous students for the scholarship fraud.

“The administration cannot be spared. If it was strong enough and office-bearers upright enough to not be lured for money, this incident could have been avoided. The culprits should be given exemplary punishment,” he said.

Constant turmoil

Protests, agitations and marches are common at Aliah University. Since 2013, student activities have also taken a political colour, once the non-political students’ union broke up.

The situation became worse in 2016 and 2017, when students stopped attending classes for more than 42 days and 50 days, respectively, following rallies and burning of former V-C Dr Abu Taleb Khan’s effigy and demands for his resignation.