Delhi University warns teachers against taking part in hunger strike

It also deemed the strike illegal and warned the Association of "administrative action" if it disrupted "the smooth functioning of the university"

Delhi University has sent letters to every department head, faculty dean and college principal warning of strict action against any teacher siding with the Delhi University Teachers’ Association planned hunger strike on Tuesday. It also deemed the strike illegal and warned the Association of “administrative action” if it disrupted “the smooth functioning of the university”.

“Any participation by a teacher in the proposed strike will be treated as unauthorised absence that will affect their service record. The university shall invoke ‘No work, no pay,” said a statement released by the university on Sunday.

The university has also cancelled the leave of every teacher for Tuesday and asked the different heads to keep an attendance record on that day with a copy to be forwarded to the university by 12 noon on Wednesday. It has further warned that the teachers will have to be present throughout the working day and not just for their respective classes. “Teachers are required to be present in their respective colleges/ departments throughout the working hours on August 28,” says the letter. In the past, whenever the university banned a dharna or protest, the teachers would attend to their classes and then attend the dharna or protest. This clause effectively ensures that no teacher can pursue the usual modus opernadi.

The letters also warn that the strike is a clear violation of a High Court order and that “any action on the part of the teachers in compliance of the DUTA’s call shall be deemed by the university to be a transgression of the Delhi High Court order”.

A strongly worded warning letter has also been sent to the DUTA president, calling the strike “unwarranted”, “without basis” and “farcical.” The letter says: “You are reminded of the fact that this call for a strike is illegal and…shall invite administrative action against those who shall disrupt the smooth functioning of the university.”

DUTA president Amar Deo Sharma said he had not received any formal or informal communication from the university but that he was not going to back-off. “We did not want to take this step but the university forced our hands. We have been asking for an appointment to meet the university officials for the past one year. They are not willing to meet us and discuss the long-standing issues of teachers. They are not even willing to even respond to all our letters,” said Amar Deo Sharma, adding that the DUTA was going to continue with its strike despite the “draconian measures” and “undemocratic behaviour” of the university. “The hunger strike was the unanimous decision of the DUTA; we will sit for the strike because it is our democratic right.”