Bareilly College Chief Proctor Removal Sparks Conflicting Claims
The controversy surrounding the removal of Bareilly College's former Chief Proctor, Dr Alok Khare, has escalated dramatically with the emergence of starkly contradictory statements from the college administration and the professor himself. This development has thrown the educational institution into turmoil, raising serious questions about transparency and administrative pressure.
Initial Reports of Removal Following ABVP Protests
Dr Alok Khare, who also serves as the Head of the Botany Department, was initially reported to have been removed from his Chief Proctor position following organized protests by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The student organization's demonstrations were triggered by alleged derogatory remarks against a woman seer during the Navratri festival, which were reportedly made through a social media post attributed to Dr Khare.
According to detailed accounts from college officials, ABVP members gathered in significant numbers outside the principal's office, raised slogans persistently, and demanded immediate and decisive action against Dr Khare. The atmosphere was reportedly tense as student activists pressed their demands for disciplinary measures.
Official Statements and Administrative Actions
At the height of the controversy, Principal Dr Om Prakash Rai issued a formal statement indicating that Dr Khare had been "relieved of his duties with immediate effect." This announcement was accompanied by the appointment of senior professor Indivar Singh Chauhan as the new Chief Proctor, signaling what appeared to be a definitive administrative decision.
ABVP members further intensified their campaign by submitting a formal memorandum seeking additional action beyond the removal, though the specific nature of these further demands was not detailed in official communications. The situation appeared to be moving toward a resolution with the administration's firm stance.
Professor's Contradictory Account Emerges
In a surprising turn of events, Dr Khare later contested the official narrative completely, asserting that he had not been removed from his position at all. According to his detailed account, he had voluntarily stepped down from the Chief Proctor post on March 30, 2026, after completing a standard four-year tenure in the role.
This revelation prompted renewed media scrutiny and follow-up inquiries with college authorities. When contacted again for clarification, Principal Dr Om Prakash Rai offered a substantially revised statement that contradicted his earlier position completely.
Principal's Revised Statement Admits Pressure
Principal Rai acknowledged that he had previously provided incorrect information to the media, attributing this to significant pressure he faced during the controversy. "I was frightened by the ABVP students and gave a wrong statement," Rai confessed in his revised account.
The principal clarified the actual sequence of events, explaining that Dr Khare had formally sought resignation from the Chief Proctor position, and this resignation had been accepted through proper administrative channels. This new version of events directly contradicted the initial narrative of forced removal and suggested a more routine administrative transition.
The conflicting accounts have created considerable confusion about what actually transpired, with implications for institutional integrity, administrative independence, and the proper handling of student protests within educational settings.
