The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) slams the illegal letter issued by the University’s Deputy Registrar to Deans, Heads of Departments and College Principals, directing them to cut a day’s salary for teachers who participated in the 28 August DUTA Strike and the 24-hour Hunger Strike of the Executive. This letter smacks of the arrogance and authoritarianism which have become the hallmark of the current University Administration. Since the teachers’ service conditions are well-defined in the University Ordinances, the Vice Chancellor has no authority, not even under emergency powers, to take any such action. It should be recalled that, contrary to labour laws enshrined anywhere in this world where employees have the right to determine the nature of their own leave, this VC had directed the Registrar to instruct the college Principals and Heads of Departments to cancel all types of leave for the teachers on the day of the Strike. The same objections apply to the recent decision to cut the salaries of DUCKU members. This absolutist mode of functioning befits a feudal king and not the chief academic and executive officer of a modern educational institution.
While the DUTA warns the Vice Chancellor to desist from continuing with his illegalities, it appeals to the governing bodies of colleges across the University to not become a party to this illegality. The governing bodies are independent of the Vice Chancellor’s will and must safeguard the right of their teachers to participate in democratic action on legitimate issues which, if unresolved, are bound to destroy teaching-learning and rob colleges and the University of prestige and presence in the Academic world.
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