FILE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Associated Press photo)
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Mauritius next month, he is unlikely to tour the IIT campus that has been set up on the island, said government sources.
The research academy in Mauritius, which was sanctioned in 2011, became the unlikely battleground two months ago between union minister Smriti Irani and Professor RK Shevgaonkar, who is the Director or top official at Delhi's Institute of Indian Technology or IIT.
Ms Irani, who is the Human Resource Development Minister, alleged that the campus in Mauritius had been set up on Professor Shevgaonkar's watch in violation of the law, which bans off-shore IIT branches.
Sources close to the academic, however, said that his resignation was triggered by Ms Irani's rude remarks at a meeting and by her alleged interference in what he saw as internal matters of the IIT.
Two weeks ago, the Mauritius Embassy wrote to the government asking it to clarify its position on the Mauritian campus. Sources told NDTV that the letter says that given media reports on the controversy, the country would like to know what the government intends as its next step, especially since the previous Congress-led government had approved of the collaboration.
"If the Prime Minister visits the IIT off-campus, it will vindicate Professor Shevgaonkar," said CK Jain, who heads the alumni association which has been backing the IIT Director. "We have wanted the Prime Minister to intervene in the IIT director's case and this will make this easier," he said.
Ms Irani refused to respond to questions from NDTV. But sources in her ministry say that though an inquiry has concluded "some procedural lapses" in the agreement signed by IIT Delhi with Mauritius in 2011, she has not decided whether to accept Professor Shevgaonkar's resignation, who has received considerable support from the powerful community of IIT alumni and faculty.