The growing measure of intolerance against the democratic rights of students and teachers in Delhi University is clearly indicated in today’s barbaric police violence unleashed against DUSU protesters. The DUTA has learnt that hundreds of students who had marched to the VC’s office protesting against his continuation in office and the DU administration’s refusal to address pending students’ issues such as Special Chance, more colleges, more hostel accommodation and better transport facilities were subjected to water cannons and lathi-charge. Nine students have suffered serious injuries, including the DUSU Vice-President, Pravesh Malik, and had to be admitted to the local government hospital. The DU administration remains unperturbed.
The DUTA condemns this high-handed attitude of the DU administration and the Delhi Police who have clearly acted at its behest. While the VC is apparently on leave, the PVC Prof. Sudhish Pachauri and the Director, South Campus Prof. Umesh Rai allowed the University campus to degenerate into a riot-zone with an unprecedented police-offensive launched against students. Instead of engaging with the DUSU, the team members have acted in a vindictive manner. This is not the first time that these officials have snubbed the democratically-elected body of students. Their arrogant indifference to democratic appeal and consistent neglect of the norms of civility have aggravated the conditions of unrest among students and teachers of DU. They are not fit to officiate in positions that demand sensitive engagement with the concerns of the academic community.
The DUTA reiterates its demand to the Government to remove the DU VC and his entire team who have not allowed the University to function with even a modicum of normalcy in the last few years.
Leave a Reply