Ranchi, Sept. 26: There is nothing official about it, claims the Ranchi University registrar L.N. Bhagat. But Ranchi University vice-chancellor S.S. Kushwaha’s ‘desire’ to force a “University anthem” of sorts (Kul-geet) and have it sung at colleges and post-graduate departments, has created a storm.

While the registrar on Friday denied having sent any circular, several college principals and department heads confirmed having received it.

The circular, said a college principal, holds that the song is to be sung at all functions held on and after November 15 this year.

Principals were also asked to include the issue in the agenda of the staff council meeting, to be held on the last day before vacation and first day after vacation, on Thursday.

The Kul-geet was written by a former principal of Ranchi College, D.N. Pandey, and was recently “adopted” by the university in the presence of the chancellor, Ved Prakash Marwah.

But it is yet to be discussed at the university senate or the syndicate.

If Kushwaha has his way the Kul-geet will have to be sung at all university functions and students and colleges may have to buy the audio cassette, available for Rs 50.

The issue was raised recently at a meeting of principals where Kushwaha wished that the Kul-geet be sung everyday. But when principals said it was not possible, he desired that it be sung at least during programmes.

A college principal on Friday said the song inordinately long and would take up 8 to 10 minutes. It would be unwise to introduce such a long ‘anthem’ and keep guests standing. The song will have to be reduced to 2 minutes or less, he suggested.

Referring to a women’s college, which took the initiative to set the song to music, finalise the tune and the notation, he wryly added, “The enthusiastic women’s college principal has also got the song printed on the identity cards issued to students. I wonder if she will also make it compulsory for all students to buy a cassette.”

The issue generated considerable heat at staff council meetings and several teachers wondered whether the decision is mandatory since it has not been discussed, let alone approved, by the senate and the syndicate.

They felt the issue should have been deliberated thoroughly before being implemented.