Protest against Constitution of Inquiry Committee against DUTA President
A meeting of the DUTA Executive was held on 13.1.2014 to discuss the decision of the Governing Body of St. Stephen’s College to start a disciplinary inquiry against the DUTA President, Nandita Narain. The meeting saw a large participation of teachers from across many colleges of Delhi University as well as students from St. Stephen’s College. The meeting began with students expressing their solidarity with Ms. Nandita Narain and their resolve to stand by her in the fight against injustice.
The DUTA Executive unanimously condemned in strongest terms this attack against the President and resolved to undertake militant action demanding the withdrawal of this Inquiry. In its Emergency Meeting held today, members expressed the view that the charge of defamation against Ms. Narain is absolutely baseless and that this Inquiry is an attack on the teachers’ movement in Delhi University.
The DUTA Executive condemns the University authorities for giving prompt approval to this bogus Inquiry. The DUTA Executive sees in this, connivance between the college and university authorities, in trying to demoralize and silence teachers. The DUTA Executive assures the teaching community of Delhi University that this attack on the DUTA has strengthened its collective unity and resolution to take on the repressive and corrupt University Administration.
The fact that the three-member Committee established to conduct the inquiry is headed by the Principal’s Nominee Manmohan Sarin who, alongside Sudhir Joseph (another Committee member), virulently demanded strictures against Ms. Narain in the first place, is nothing but a travesty of justice.
The DUTA will lead a Joint Protest March of students, teachers and karamcharis to St. Stephen’s College on Saturday, 18 January. The March will begin from the Faculty of Arts at 11 AM. Meanwhile, a delegation of DUTA representatives will meet the Chairman of the St. Stephen’s College Governing Body and press him to quash the inquiry.
HARISH KHANNA
Secretary, DUTA
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