After the Faculty Forum and the Indian Institute of Technology Employees Union (IITEU), the IIT Delhi Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes Employees Association has also backed institute director R.K. Shevgaonkar.
Mr. Shevgaonkar had resigned last week and the Human Resource Development Ministry has denied reports that it was due to government pressure.
His resignation is yet to be accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee, who holds the post of Visitor to the Institute. Shevgaonkar has left for Mumbai and will be there till January 11.
A statement, signed by association president K.P. Singh and general secretary Vinod Kumar, stated: "It is very difficult to know the reasons behind the resignation but all members of the staff, including SC/ST community of the institute, are sure that you are doing your best to maintain the autonomy of the institute in favour of nation and students, faculty and staff of the institute."
Last week, IITEU general secretary Anil Sharma said, “The IITEU would also like extend as well as express its full heart support to the Director, Prof R.K. Shevgaonkar.The IITEU believes that, truth remains truth, so it is quite possible that this episode will end very soon, on positive note and resignation may be roll backed” (sic).
The Faculty Forum has also demanded that the government not interfere with IIT Delhi's autonomy and that Shevgaonkar withdraw his resignation.