Amidst the ongoing allegations of financial mismanagement being raised against them, Students’ Union (SU), President Ashirwad Karande and General Secretary Naman Jalan reached out to the English Press Club to talk about their side of the story. Readers are advised to read the article titled “A statement from CRC” for more information.
‘I have proof for my claims. I don’t raise flagrant violations on the basis of one video.’
On November 26, 2022, Ashirwad received an email from the Corroboration and Review Committee (CRC) regarding some ‘financial irregularities’ that occurred during Oasis 2022. He shared that he had responded to that email in the stipulated time frame and even called for a grievances meeting with CRC, Election Commission (EC), and two officials from the administration.
Ashirwad claimed that even after this meeting, CRC had no conclusive evidence against him. When asked about the videos being circulated in WhatsApp groups, Ashirwad was adamant that he was never shown this “video evidence” by CRC even when he had asked for any proof that they might have against him on multiple occasions. He added that in one of the videos, where he mentions an amount of INR six to seven lakh, he is talking about the registration fee that was received at that time. ‘It can be clearly seen that I calculated that on my phone right there,’ he said.
According to Ashirwad, CRC was unable to find any evidence after the grievances meeting, long after they had contacted vendors and inquired about Ashirwad asking for the alleged cut. ‘Whenever I asked them for any update on the investigation, I would get vague responses such as “flagrant violation”, “suspension” etc.’ Ashirwad added. Following this, he shared that he had called for another meeting on November 30, 2022. In this meeting he had offered to share his bank statements or any other relevant documents CRC might require in their investigation. This meet was also the first time he ever saw the circulating videos. ‘If you find any proof against me in black and white, I am ready to resign on the spot,’ he expressed in clarification to CRC’s claims. He is still unaware of the motivation behind their investigation since ‘they had no resolute evidence other than the video.’
Talking about the entire food stall debacle, Ashirwad shared that despite their claims, CRC has never been the signatory authority on the food stall MoUs. ‘It has always been the Department of Sponsorship and Marketing (Sponz) and the vendor,’ he added. This time, however, the MoU was signed by him, CRC, Anshal Shukla (StuCCAn, Department of Visual Media and Design), Angel Maria Baby (StuCCAn, Department of Reception and Accommodation), and the vendor. He shared that since the food stalls directly involve the Oasis App and require inventory, it made sense to involve Anshal and Angel. He added that he did not want any StuCCAn to be unaware of the negotiations when they were to provide the deliverables. He was also persistent about the fact that at least one member from CRC was always present during the negotiations with the vendors, refuting their claims of being out of the loop during the negotiation process.
Ashirwad said, ‘With less than fifteen days left for the fest, Sponz was being unresponsive and uncooperative.’ He added that he had informed the CRC about this as well. Ashirwad also claimed that there was a breach of information by Karishma K (StuCCAn, Department of Sponsorship and Marketing) and Harsh Lamba (former General Secretary of the Students’ Union) during the negotiations. Ashirwad also shared that he plans to call a UC-GBM meet soon, wherein he would be presenting all documents in his defence and answering the GBM’s questions. Ashirwad felt that his privacy was breached and that he has consulted his legal advisor and action would be taken against whoever shot the video that was circulated around on all social media channels. He also spoke about how this incident would lead to the members of the “GBM losing trust” and not being able to speak freely. ‘This video was recorded through a charger, a charger was there and a camera was installed in that,’ he added.
Ashirwad claimed that only CRC had access to said video and he had consulted them when it was leaked. They denied any involvement in the circulation of the video. Ashirwad concluded with, ‘I want the GBM to think about some questions. Under what context were these videos sent? With what intentions? Were there any specific clubs or departments only raising this issue as a defence? Go through the minutes of the meet and think about it. I am also seriously concerned about the unbiasedness of independent bodies like CRC. Even after I showed up for all meets and cooperated, you cannot straight away declare flagrant violations and send out root mails.’
‘Five missing hoodies out of 3200, is mismanagement of inventory according to them.’
Naman Jalan, the General Secretary of the Students’ Union, shared that he learned about this entire incident after he received an email from CRC on November 26, 2022. According to Naman, ‘The numbers said in the video recording were simply a bait to gauge why the ex-General Secretary was involved in the negotiations via Sponz.’
‘Where is my 2.5% if I have received it?’, Naman added jokingly. As the StuCCAn of Inventory, Naman’s role entails acting in an advisory capacity to the StuCCAn of Finance, Ashirwad. Naman shared that his work included printing food coupons, which he claimed was done in front of the Union Council (UC) and handed over to CRC. He added that he was not the signatory authority for any tenders.
Naman shared that other than Ashirwad mentioning it in the video, there is no proof of him taking the said 2.5% cut. Naman further added, ‘If I say in front of the EPC that all three members of the CRC have taken a 2.5% cut, will it account for it? Because this is exactly what has happened to me.’
In the meeting with CRC, the UC, the administration officials, and Ashirwad, Naman shared that the administration had made it clear that the video is not valid and actual paperwork is required to support CRC’s claims. Talking about Lamba’s involvement in the negotiations, Naman said, ‘They were trying to set their puppets in this post. Me and Ashirwad (sic) do not take orders from them.’ Naman emphasised ‘the opposite camp is trying to politicise the campus.’ They were initially unable to establish a quorum in ORM as the Hostel Representatives from the other camp did not show up stating illness. Naman further elaborated on how CRC was not cooperating with him during the investigations.
To conclude, Naman said, ‘There is a group of people who are trying to mislead the GBM and disturb their integrity. There is propaganda being spread. And these are all people who have been debarred from mess elections and SU elections. It’s a tough time for all the members of the GBM. Please do not believe in any rumours, wait for the UC-GBM meet.’