"In their best interest": CNLU VC Prof Faizan Mustafa says he offered to resign after slapgate, but students didn't let him

In the wake of the recent incident where he slapped two students of Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna amid police raids at the boys' hostel, Vice-Chancellor Prof Faizan Mustafa said that he offered to resign from his post, but the students urged him not to do so.

"I work only for my students and at times when the line between right and wrong gets blurred, I as their father do what is in their best interest. My personal interest or reputation has no meaning for me. I would never risk lives and career of my students to save my position as VC or reputation as person," Prof Mustafa wrote in his email to Bar & Bench.

He added that when he informed students of his offer to resign, they apologised for their behaviour and urged him to reconsider.

"I told my students that due to their immature behaviour, I would no more like to continue as Vice-Chancellor and may prefer to go back to Odisha. I received large number of WhatsApp messages and emails from my students that they will not allow me to leave CNLU...They were genuinely apologetic just like me and they reposed full faith in me and my administration. In fact, they convened an open house and put the resolution of allowing me to resign to vote and the resolution was defeated with 100% students voting against it."

A student told Bar & Bench that after the slapping incident, a special dinner was organised for students and faculty members, approved by the Vice-Chancellor.

Prof Mustafa was captured on video hitting two students even as police personnel entered the boys' hostel on March 23 to conduct a search for liquor.

The video shows Prof Mustafa slap a student twice. When another student appears, the VC raises his hand and slaps him. Prof Mustafa then asks the student in Hindi,

"What will you do? Are you the police? Have you lost your mind?"

The student then asks why the Professor hit him. Prof Mustafa replies,

"I hit you. You have lost your mind, have you forgotten who has taught you the law? A public servant is a..."

Speaking to Bar & Bench, Prof Mustafa said that he took the step to prevent escalation of a conflict between the police and the students. He added that the students were agitated seeing police personnel entering their hostel.

Having seen a student lose their life during police firing, he was trying to prevent a similar tragedy, he claimed.

A student told Bar & Bench that the police had entered the hostel premises late at night to check for alcohol. Students were blocking the police from proceeding further and were raising slogans, which had led to the tense situation on campus.

When asked why the police entered the campus, Prof Mustafa said,

"I do not know and I am trying to ascertain from senior officials. But it is true that few days back I had complained to police about some threats given to my students on the road and I had asked them to ensure safety of my students and the students of National Institute of Fashion Technology which is next to our University. A formal complaint was also lodged in this regard. It seems that some unfortunate developments are taking place in other universities and Telangana Police is looking for involvement of students across universities. I do not have full details and, therefore, cannot say anything with certainty."

He insisted that CNLU students are not involved in any violation of law and added that police did not inform the University of any prohibited substance or liquor recovered from the hostel.

Explaining why things got out of hand when the police raided the boys' hostel, he said,

"My students were agitated on the police presence in the hostel. This is the reaction which is common to all students in Indian universities. This was a natural reaction. I too got agitated as they out of their anger were not allowing police to do their official duties...My intent was very clear that I don't want any of my students to come in conflict with police or law as I have seen students not getting police clearance in spite of qualifying competitive examinations."

On why he withdrew his offer to resign, he said,

"The behaviour of students after that unfortunate incident has been exemplary as they in no time realised why I did what I did. Their persuasion and emotional appeal to stay back has left a lasting impact on me. I had to concede because of my policy which they reminded me, that every just demand of the students would be accepted."