Delhi University Teachers’ Association strongly condemns the attempt by Dr. Purabi Saikia, Principal Bhagini Nivedita College

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association strongly condemns the attempt by Dr. Purabi Saikia, Principal Bhagini Nivedita College, to deny membership of the Governing Body to a senior teacher, Dr. Uma Nijhawan, in a blatantly illegal manner.The Principal’s action is in violation of Ordinance XVIII Clause 3(2) that clearly stipulates that
“The teacher’s representatives shall become members of Governing Body by rotation according seniority. At least one of the representatives from among the teachers… shall be from among those with more than 10 years of service and at least one from among those… with less than 10 years of service….The term of membership of teacher’s representatives shall be for a period of one year:…

NOTE – For the purpose of this Clause “teachers will be understood to be those holding a permanent whole time post, with requisite service in the college in question.”

The DUTA has received a representation in this regard from the Staff Association of Bhagini Nivedita College and the concerned teacher (copy attached). A DUTA delegation took the matter up with the Principal on the 17th August, and was informed by her that she has sent the matter to the University for “clarification”. No reply has come from the University administration so far.

Bhagini Nivedita College is a Delhi Government governed college. A meeting of the newly-constituted Governing Body has been scheduled for 28th August, in which the Chairperson will be elected.  It is quite clear that the illegal denial of membership to a senior teacher is a ploy being used by the University administration as well as the Principal to manipulate and influence the election of the Chairperson in the meeting on the 28th. The DUTA demands that a letter of membership be issued immediately to Dr Uma Nijhawan, failing which the DUTA will be compelled to resort to direct action.

It appeals to the newly appointed members of the Governing Body not to fall prey to the continued machinations of a thoroughly discredited University administration to deny legitimate membership to a teacher representative and subvert the proper constitution of the Governing Body as per the Act, Statutes and Ordinances of Delhi University.

(Content published is press release of DUTA)

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