The DUTA Executive, in a meeting held on 24.9.2015, unanimously passed the following resolution:
“This DUTA Executive opposes, in toto, the UGC Guidelines on the Safety of Students on and off Campuses of Higher Educational Institutions (April 2015).
It expresses dismay at the thoughtlessness and insensitivity shown by the UGC towards adult students whose freedom to express themselves and participate in the growth of a liberal and independent ethos is sought to be curbed by these draconian Guidelines in the name of Safety and Security.
This DUTA Executive censures the hypocritical attitude displayed by the UGC which has repeatedly ignored the real need to expand hostel and mess facilities in universities and direct authorities to set up efficient mechanisms for the delivery of speedy and impartial justice to students who survive gendered abuse and violence.
In the garb of safety, the UGC is pushing retrogressive measures including round-the clock surveillance. The Guidelines violate the students’ Right to Privacy and Personal Dignity and advocate disciplinary measures that are bound to adversely affect the independent intellectual, cultural and moral development of the students and hence, by extension, impede the attempt to instill values integral to modern citizenship as well as civic and political democracy in them.
This DUTA Executive resolves to appeal to the UGC and MHRD and, if required, participate in democratic action to ensure an unconditional withdrawal of the said Guidelines at the earliest.”
Leave a Reply