RS Praveen Kumar asks Harvard to revoke Revanth Reddy’s certificate

BRS leader and former IPS officer R S Praveen Kumar has written to Harvard University seeking revocation of a course certificate awarded to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, alleging lack of due diligence and warning of reputational damage to the institution.

Hyderabad: BRS general secretary and former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar wrote to Harvard University, demanding that it revoke a course completion certificate awarded to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

In his email to the University authorities, Praveen Kumar, who is a Harvard Kennedy School alumnus, expressed dismay and outrage over Revanth Reddy being awarded a certificate for an executive programme on leadership. He said the Chief Minister faced 89 criminal cases which is highest in India and had a controversial political record, having been caught red-handed by ACB while attempting to bribe a sitting MLA for vote. He pointed to the Chief Minister’s alleged track record of indulging in divisive politics, hurling unparliamentary abuse at political opponents and pursues vendetta politics.

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“Such a politician is unfit not just in 21st century, but even unheard in the Stone Age as well,” he said, arguing that such a profile was inconsistent with the values of ethical leadership, civility and public service associated with the prestigious University.

Praveen Kumar who was also Edward S Mason Fellow, questioned the due diligence followed while admitting participants to short-term executive courses. He stated that granting certificates of recognition to such political leaders with dubious credentials, risked damaging the University’s global reputation. “No rigorous background check, formal interview, or due diligence appears to have been conducted while granting admission to Revanth Reddy. This decision reeks of institutional recklessness,” he added.

He sought to know whether Harvard was selling short executive programmes to controversial figures for prestige or fees, calling it a betrayal of trust. He affirmed that he felt ashamed that his alma mater has descended to such low.

The BRS leader urged the institution to review its admission processes for executive education programmes to prevent embarassments and also reconsider the certificate awarded to Revanth Reddy. He asserted that failure to act would raise concerns about the standards being maintained in selecting participants for such programmes.