The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) on Monday appealed to President Ram Nath Kovind to end the crisis in Delhi University (DU) on the reservation roster issue, due to which teachers have been on an evaluation boycott.
UGC notification
The UGC notification dated March 5 regarding reservation roster for SCs, STs and OBCs in teaching posts in universities and colleges directs institutions to make the roster treating a department or subject as a unit in place of the college or university as a unit.
DUTA said since the departments or subjects are far smaller than institutions, the roster would move far more slowly that would inordinately delay the fulfilment of the required percentages and it was therefore, and attack the job prospects of Dalit and Adivasi students.
The teachers’ body also took to the President the fact that DU has completely stalled the process of permanent appointments and that over 4,000 teachers were working on an ad hoc basis in the university for the past several years.
The teachers, who were joined by representatives of a few political parties, appealed to Mr. Kovind to intervene on an urgent basis and put an end to the crisis.
Representatives of political parties included Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M), Manoj Khanna of the RJD, Udit Raj of the BJP, Sushmita Deb of the Congress, Atishi Marlena of the AAP, Amarjeet Kaur of the CPI, Pran Sharma of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), G. Devarajan of the Forward Bloc and Kavita Krishnan of the CPI(ML).
Registrar’s appeal
The Registrar of Delhi University, meanwhile, issued another appeal to teachers to “see reason” and start evaluation of answer scripts without further delay.
“The appeal is being issued in view of the critical nature of the timely availability of results for a number of students who are seeking admission to various courses in India and abroad or are aspiring to get jobs to support their families,” said the Registrar, noting that teachers are responsible for shaping the future of students and society.
