Pondicherry University campus has been witnessing protests for the removal of the Vice Chancellor amidst allegations of mismanagement.
A professor at the Pondicherry University was allegedly manhandled and his office ransacked in what the police believe was retaliation after an attack on the Registrar in charge on Monday.
N Dastagir Reddy, a faculty member and General Secretary of the Teachers' Association, was attacked allegedly by non-teaching staff and a section of students. Mr Reddy is leading protests against Vice Chancellor Ms Chandra Krishnamoorthi, who is currently on leave.
Dr Reddy, whose office was wrecked, said: "I've moved outside the campus. It's no longer safe for me to remain here. Ms Chandra's goondas (henchmen) are attacking us now. They've also attacked two other women faculty and damaged a car."
The police say last night the Registrar in Charge Pannir Selvam, collapsed after being held captive by protesting students and faculty. Dr Selvam is reportedly a heart patient. He's now in the ICU of a private hospital.
The protesters have demanded his exit saying that he's a confidante of the Vice Chancellor.
"This attack is in retaliation," said a senior police officer. The police did not confirm reports that two women professors were also attacked.
The past few weeks have seen protests against the Vice Chancellor, who has been accused of committing fraud to get the top college post.
Many faculty members and students allege that Chandra Krishnamoorthi has not published research papers as her CV claims; the book she published, they allege, is 98 percent plagiarized.
The Vice Chancellor has also been accused of administrative mismanagement.
Dr Krishnamoorthi, who went on leave last week, reportedly on the instructions of the Human Resource Development Ministry, has said she will prove these allegations wrong in court. Those close to her say she's being targeted for her crackdown on a 25 crore equipment purchase scam.