PRESS RELEASE, 18.1.14

 As a follow up to the decision of DUTA Executive which unanimously condemned the decision of the Governing Body of St. Stephens college to institute an enquiry  against Ms. Nandita Narain, President of DUTA, hundreds of teachers, students and non-teaching staff took part in the protest march which started from Arts Faculty Gate at 12 noon against the malafide enquiry set up against the DUTA President. The aforesaid enquiry is set up by the Governing Body of the St. Stephens College against Ms. Nandita Narain on grounds of allegedly making defamatory comments against the College Principal Dr. Valson Thampu. DUTA is convinced that this enquiry is set up at the behest of the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University precisely to derail the collective movement of the university fraternity against the unprecedented mis-governance of the university administration. This is also in continuation of the series of show causes, suspensions and enquiries against teachers of various colleges for standing firm against the misrule of DU authorities.

The march was followed by a demonstration at St. Stephens College. The anger of the collective was visible in the agitated outburst of teachers and students who came in solidarity with the DUTA President and spoke volumes about their victimization and harassment in their respective colleges. The speakers included Dr. M.S. Frank, former Acting Principal of St. Stephen’s College, Ms. Maya John, former President of the St. Stephen’s College Students’ Union and various students of St. Stephen’s College.

The members of various Staff Association shared their experiences about the college specific problems and victimization of teachers. DUTA condemns this unwarranted attack on the teachers’ movement by the University authorities and demand an immediate withdrawal of the malafide enquiry against the DUTA President. DUTA is committed to stepping up the momentum of the teachers’ movement and not to be discouraged by such coercive methods of the DU authorities.