DUTA Opposes Hindu College Teachers’ Unjust Termination; Gives Call for Strike
The DUTA has condemned the Hindu College Governing Body and DU Vice-Chancellor for colluding on the unjust decision to terminate the services of two faculty members from the College. In an Emergency Meeting held today to take stock of the termination order, the DUTA has slammed the shocking violations of established procedure on the part of the Hindu Governing Body Chairman and the DU administration. The decision to terminate the teachers’ services is a heinous attack on their livelihood as well as an unprecedented and cold-blooded signal to the University community and teachers’ collective that all rules and regulations can be ignored by authorities who are pursuing a politics of vendetta against employees who may be raising their voice against any injustice.
The DUTA reiterates the following crucial lapses:
The DUTA has condemned the Hindu College Governing Body and DU Vice-Chancellor for colluding on the unjust decision to terminate the services of two faculty members from the College. In an Emergency Meeting held today to take stock of the termination order, the DUTA has slammed the shocking violations of established procedure on the part of the Hindu Governing Body Chairman and the DU administration. The decision to terminate the teachers’ services is a heinous attack on their livelihood as well as an unprecedented and cold-blooded signal to the University community and teachers’ collective that all rules and regulations can be ignored by authorities who are pursuing a politics of vendetta against employees who may be raising their voice against any injustice.
The DUTA reiterates the following crucial lapses:
- The two teachers’ who were accused of a breach of peace and discipline were not allowed enough time to reply to the ‘Show-Cause’ notices issued to them. They were arbitrarily put under suspension even before the term specified for replying to the ‘Show-Cause’ could expire.
- The Report of the statutory Inquiry against the teachers was not shared with them; neither were they granted the right to appeal or explain their position.
- Five members of the Hindu College Governing Body, including both the college teachers’ representatives and the University representative to the GB, had dissented against the Governing Body’s decision to terminate (11 April 2014) the services of the two accused teachers.
- The DU VC had sent back the Termination Resolution of the Governing Body in September 2014, asking for a “Reconsideration” of the decision on the grounds that the Termination is “disproportionate” to the offense. No reconsideration was undertaken by the Governing Body. Instead, the GB Chairman usurped the collective powers of the Governing Body, wrote back to the VC reiterating the old decision for termination and merely reported his actions to the Governing Body members in the next meeting. Suddenly, without any additional evidence the DU VC formally approved the old decision on 21 February 2015.
It is clear that all principles of Natural Justice have also been denied to the two teachers. All avenues for appeal have been denied to them The DUTA Executive has unanimously expressed its solidarity with the teachers and resolved to carry out continuous and intense agitations in demand for a reversal of the termination order. The DUTA Executive has also called for a University-wide Strike on 10 March 2015 and has decided to observe it as a Black Day. It has demanded that the VC should immediately resign from office. Teachers will march to the VC’s Residence in protest against the termination order and in demand of the VC’s resignation.
| NANDITA NARAIN President, DUTA |
HARISH KHANNA Secretary, DUTA |
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