The Hindu : A signature drive for JNU scholar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2002

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A signature drive for JNU scholar

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI APRIL 29. A great deal of mobilisation is under way among teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University to obtain a reversal of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor's decision not to grant re-employment to noted scholar Imtiaz Ahmed.

It is learnt that a signature campaign has already been initiated in the School of Social Sciences and till today, at least 30 teachers had signed on it. This representation is expected to be given to the new Vice-Chancellor, G.K. Chadha.

Also, the Dean of Social Sciences is said to have written to the administration demanding reconsideration of the decision. In fact, a large section of the teaching community is behind the move to reverse the outgoing administration's decision.

Even the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association has backed Prof. Ahmed's case. At an emergency meeting of its executive council, the JNUTA has stated that a scholar of Prof. Ahmed's repute should not be denied re-employment.

All hopes are now pinned on Prof. Chadha who is to formally take over as Vice-Chancellor of JNU from Asis Datta on Tuesday.

According to informed sources, it is well within the charter of the new vice-chancellor to order a reconsideration.

Prof. Ahmed was denied re-employment about a week ago after an informal meeting between the University Rector and few other teachers. This had peeved most teachers as those called for the meeting were themselves on re-employment.

Moreover, there were objections on how the Prof. Datta could take a decision when his term had already come to an end and a fresh appointment was expected any time.

After all, it was on this logic that two other teachers were granted an extension of six months so that the new vice-chancellor could take a decision later.

The same rule, however, was not applied in the case of Prof. Ahmed and with his retirement date fast approaching, teachers believe that Prof. Chadha would have to act soon on this matter.

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