Bharathidasan University Teachers' Association (BUTA) has split, and the breakaway group has decided to get the newly formed association registered as Teachers' Association of Bharathidasan University (TABU).
The first general body meeting of the new association was conducted on Tuesday, with participation by a group of senior teachers and most of the 39 newly recruited teachers. “We have taken the decision to maintain the dignity of the university campus, and believe that any problem in the university campus can be sorted out amicably through negotiations with the university authorities,” S. Sethuramalingam, secretary of TABU said. TABU has been formed to achieve the overall growth and development of the Bharathidasan University in academic arena, and take all efforts to protect the interest and welfare of the teachers, a press release issued by Dr. Sethuramalingam said.
While the TABU has claimed membership of more than 100 out of the over 200 teachers in the university, BUTA Secretary K. Natarajaseenivasan said that most of the teachers have preferred to remain with the old association.
Meanwhile, BUTA members continued with their black-badge protest on Wednesday demanding that the University restore the post of Directorship in the Department of Women's Studies to Dr. N. Manimekalai.
BUTA's decision to wear black badges from Monday, as a way of democratic protest, and conduct a demonstration at the entrance of the university on Friday was taken at an emergency special general body meeting last week.
The TANFUFA (Tamil Nadu Federation of University Faculty Associations) has decided to coordinate the demonstration with the participation of its member associations representing almost all State universities. The Joint Action Council of seven teacher and non-teacher associations of Annamalai University, the Madras University Teachers' Association, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Faculty Association, Madurai Kamaraj University Faculty Association, Alagappa University Faculty Association, Mother Teresa Women's University Academic Staff Association, and the Association of University Teachers have already expressed solidarity with Dr. Manimekalai.
