DUTA Press Release, 15 February

A meeting of the General Body of DUTA was held today at 12:30 pm in the Hansraj College today. The General Body calls for immediate intensification of the movement through series of participatory action programmes followed by Strike. The DUTA warns the Government against dilly-dally on the matter of Reservation Roster and demands immediate resolution through an Ordinance on 200 point College/University-wise roster.

In order to mitigate the plight of the over 4000 teachers in Delhi University teaching on adhoc basis, the DUTA reiterated its demand for a UGC Regulation for the One-time absorption of these teachers.

At the same time, teachers are exercised about the state of absolute paralysis of administration at the hands of Prof Yogesh Tyagi who has not moved an inch towards resolution of the issues.

The DUTA General Body also noted that there is an unprecedented policy assault on public funded higher education which can be resisted only through coming together of teachers, students, non-teaching staff and concerned citizens. As per earlier resolutions of meetings of DUTA General Body, the DUTA along with FEDCUTA and AIFUCTO have worked towards forging greater solidarities. The DUTA, FEDCUTA, AIFUCTO under the Joint Forum for Movement on Education (JFME) comprising all-India Organisations of school teachers, of employees and students will participate in People’s March on 19 February from Mandi House to Parliament Street, starting at 11 am. Over tens of thousands students, parents and teachers from across the country are coming to Delhi to take part in the People’s March. The demands include the defence of public education, Ordinance/Bill on 200 point roster with College/University as a unit, regularisation/ absorption of those working on various kinds of contractual arrangements, assured promotions and pension. The General Body applauded formation of this platform and appealed to Staff Associations to mobilise teachers, students and non-teaching staff for the same.

The DUTA will intensify the movement through following action programmes with a greater involvement of students, students’ unions and groups on Campus, DUCKU, Leaders of Political Parties and MPs and teachers’ and students’ unions of other universities. The DUTA teams will visit colleges for greater mobilisation. Staff Associations are requested to convene meetings to discuss and mobilise for the action programmes. The Staff Associations are also requested to send their feedback on continuation of Strike beyond 1 March 2019. Their resolutions should reach DUTA by 1 pm, 28 February 2019.

1. 19 February, People’s Rally: The DUTA will participate with its full force in the People’s Rally of 19 February under the banner of JFME from Mandi House to Parliament Street, starting at 11 am. Classes will remain suspended from 10 am. Staff Associations are requested to hire buses to help greater participation of students and teachers.

2. 25 February, University in Crisis: Short public meeting followed by formation of Human Chain by students and teachers at 2 pm on Campus to highlight the crisis in the University. Assembly at Arts Faculty, North Campus at 2 pm.      

3. 26 February, Adhikar Candle Light Vigil: To highlight demands of an Ordinance/Bill on 200 point College/University-wise Roster and a Regulation of one-time absorption of adhoc and temporary teachers, the DUTA will hold Candle Light Vigil at Mandi House on 26 February at 4 pm. Classes will remain suspended from 1:30 pm.

4. 27 Feb – 1 March: DUTA Strike  

5. 28 February: Extended DUTA will draw draft proposal for future course of action and decide about the continuation of Strike on the basis of resolutions of Staff Association.

6. 1 March, 11 am: DUTA GBM to decide future course of action including continuation of Strike.

7. The DUTA Drafting Committee will draft a White Paper on the Education Policies and draw Teachers’ Manifesto to be submitted to all political parties. The documents will be finalised through feedback of Staff Associations and in the Extended DUTA Executive and DUTA GBM. The document will be released in a DUTA Press Conference by mid-March.

8. In order to take the demand of the removal of VC further, the DUTA Drafting Committee will also draft a White Paper on the misgovernance by Professor Yogesh Tyagi.

Please find the Resolution of the DUTA GBM attached – LINK