Mangalore University Convocation – Did Oscar Flout Protocol?
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Apr 7: The convocations of universities are held as per the set procedures, where the protocol cannot be flouted. As the chancellors of the universities normally attend these functions and award degrees, discipline and sanctity of the occasion are maintained as a rule, and every care is taken to ensure that the convocation does not witness incidents which violate the procedures.
In tune with the procedures, state Governor, H R Bharadwaj’s wife, who was present at the convocation of the Mangalore University held on Tuesday April 6, sat amongst the audience. However, former union minister, Oscar Fernandes, invited his wife, Blossom Fernandes, to accompany him while accepting his honorary doctorate degree from the university chancellor. His action made one to wonder as to whether this was permitted. The Governor too surprised the audience, by crossing over and standing in front of the teapoy placed before him, for presenting the doctorate to Oscar, whereas the other doctorates were granted by him, by standing behind the teapoy, in front of his seat.
As per set procedures, no one from the audiences’ gallery can enter the dais directly. Security personnel were posted to enforce this regulation. However, Blossom entered the dais, received the doctorate in the company of her husband, got the photographs clicked, took the certificate of doctorate in her hand, and then got seated in her seat among the audience.
The university rules specify that only in the case of the handicapped persons, those who take care of them can enter the dais, with prior permission of the organizers. The dais remains off limits for all the others.
Some sources however, claim that Oscar Fernandes had obtained prior permission from the state Governor-cum-chancellor of the university, to accept his honorary doctorate degree in the company of his wife.