The DUTA expresses its shock and outrage at the reported decision of the Governing Body of Hindu College to impose a penalty of deduction of two increments and debarring from administrative work for five years on seven teachers of the college, on a flimsy and ridiculous “charge” of having written a letter to the Lt. Governor highlighting certain irregularities in construction of a new building.
That the decision was taken in an emergency meeting held on 20.3.2015 without disclosing the agenda only serves to underline the cavalier manner in which the college is being held hostage by a vindictive management that will not tolerate any questioning of its dubious functioning.
Hindu College has been in the grip of a crisis and turmoil for almost eighteen months following the bizarre suspension and then termination of two teachers in gross violation of the principles of natural justice and statutory procedures. Significantly, that crisis too had its roots in a disagreement during a Staff Association meeting held to discuss reported irregularities in the functioning of the college.
The seven teachers who are now facing the ire of an authoritarian management, had staunchly opposed the action against the earlier two teachers. Many of them have been elected office bearers of the Staff Association in this period, and two of the seven had assisted the two teachers during the enquiry held against them. The Governing Body’s decision to punish teachers for writing a letter to the Lt. Governor, which is after all their democratic right, is clearly an act of vendetta, aimed at striking fear into the hearts of all employees who seek to question or protest against their running this public-funded institution like a fiefdom.
DUTA had called a one-day strike on 10th March to protest against the termination that had been approved by the Vice Chancellor in a clear case of connivance between the College management and the university authorities.
The decision taken in this ” emergency” meeting – when, in fact, no emergency exists in the college – at a time when the functioning of the University is under a scanner, has evidently been taken with the tacit support of the VC acting out of vengeance following the show-cause notice issued to him by the HRD Ministry.
The DUTA condemns this shameful act and calls for immediate intervention by the Visitor to save this institution.
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