Students desecrate Ghandi's bust



President Shri Pranab Mukherjee of India pays his respect to a bust of Mahatma Ghandi which was he unveiled during his visit to UPNG last month. Google pic
 
 
 
 
 
 
A bust of Mahatma Ghandi, a symbol of Indian non-violent civil disobedience and peaceful protest, at the University of Papua New Guinea was this week desecrated by some students.
Vice Chancellor Professor Albert Mellam has expressed regret upon hearing that the recently unveiled bust by the Indian President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, has been removed by some students.
“It is extremely regrettable because than you cross the PNG boundary and now removing a world leader. Nations and communities revered for what he stood for and this action sends a very bad message about UPNG as a university and of course our students.  I do not want to think about the consequences but people will not forget this type of action,” He said.
An unimpressed Mellam conveyed his apologies to the Indian government and its people.
“I will apologise to them and will write a letter to the Indian Ambassador to PNG to express our apology. It is just so regrettable and the act alone just tarnishes the reputation of the university and what it stands for,” He said.
The bust was removed early this week during the early hours.
Student Representative Council President Kenneth Rapa has also deemed the action and said he had asked students to put it back.
“I had asked the boys to find the statue and to have it out back.  I will make sure it is put back because they were frustrated that the referendum was not conducted this week as promised by the administration and electoral commission,” He said.
Meanwhile, Professor Mellam has also refuted rumours that the University has no money and is on course to shut down.
“This is not true, we are not closing down. Why would we close down in the middle of the year? We cannot compromise the academic year which has been planned and budgeted for. We have money to cover salaries, operational costs, and of course we would want more money to a lot of things for the school but we can only work within our budget,” He said.
The University was given a budget allocation of K77.5 Million for 2016 compared to last year’s allocation of K52. 9 Million.

The empty stand which holds the bust of Mahatma Ghandi at UPNG 

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