Press Release, 7.10.2013

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) condoles the passing away of Ms. Pavitra Bhardwaj, (non-teaching colleague from B. R. Ambedkar College) and appeals to all teachers, karamcharis and students to rally for the cause of her justice. It is extremely sad that the Principal of B. R. Ambedkar College,whom she had accused of sexual harassment and has now named as the cause of her suicide in her dying declaration, roams free while her family, colleagues and well-wishers mourn her death. The DUTA demands that G. K. Arora, Principal of B. R. Ambedkar College, be immediately arrested under section 306 (Abetment to Suicide) of the IPC and suspended by the University to allow for an impartial probe on the allegations that had been made by Pavitra.

It is a measure of the University authorities’ insensitivity towards Ordinance XV-D that the Principal has not yet been suspended. The Ordinance clearly requires that the Principal should have been put under suspension so as to not be able to influence the course and conduct of the Enquiry. This did not happen as the College Complaints Committee was not allowed to act independently from the start. The DUTA holds the Vice Chancellor as squarely responsible for this lapse. Further, the University’s refusal to intervene even as Pavitra was being repeatedly served memos and show-cause notices during the enquiry, as a ploy to continue harassing and intimidating her and in shameless violation of the provisions of Ordinance XV-D, emboldened the Principal to illegally terminate her services after putting pressure on the College Complaints Committee to give himself a clean-chit.The shocking actions of the Principal indicate that the highest officials, including the Vice Chancellor, have been deliberately shielding him. Pavitra’s passing should be a wake-up call for the University which has been showing similar indifference in the case of the OSD of A. R. S. D. College against whom, identical allegations have been made by a member of the non-teaching staff.

The DUTA office bearers and Executive members participated in a Protest Dharna called by the DUCKU at Pavitra’s college today. It stands in solidarity with the DUCKU which has called for a period of sustained agitation against the University authorities and the Delhi Police to ensure that Pavitra’s tragic end does not preclude justice.