Patna,(BiharTimes): First it was the Indian origin Nobel  Laureate Amartya Sen, who was made the Chancellor of Nalanda  University. The BJP was obviously not pleased with his views  on various issues. He withdrew from seeking a second term,  since the Narendra Modi government had not given its approval  to his nomination. Now the NDA government on Saturday  appointed a former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo as  the Chancellor of the University.

Yeo was on the Governing Board (erstwhile Nalanda Mentor  Group) of the University. He will take over from Amartya Sen  after his term ends in July. Yeo chaired the last meeting of the Board on January 13-14,  2015, when it had unanimously agreed to have Sen serve as the  Chancellor for the second consecutive term. He was awarded  the Padma Bhushan in 2012 in recognition of his contribution  in the field of “public affairs.”

But the notifification issued by the External Affairs  Ministry on Saturday regarding his appointment has not been  welcomed by the academics and social groups in India. “Personally I have no dispute with Mr George Yeo. But how is  it possible that the government which talks so much about  Indian nationalism has appointed a foreigner as a Chancellor  of Nalanda University. Is not there any other person of his  standing available in India, or even of Indian origin like Dr  Sen,” said Professor Nawal Kishore Chaudhary, principal of  Patna College.

Others too agree with him. 
Another senior official, who wished not to be quoted was  surprised over the decision of Narendra Modi government. “If  Sonia Gandhi, though an Indian citizen and a ‘bahu’  (daughter-in-law) is not acceptable why is it that a former  foreign minister of another country made Chancellor of  Nalanda University,” he asked while talking to BiharTimes.