Fissures out in the open in UoH SC/ST Teachers’ Forum

Some say that they were not consulted when the forum sent a letter to the Vice-Chancellor stating that all the community members have resigned from their administrative posts

A few days after the SC/ST Teachers’ Forum in the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus sent a letter to the Vice-Chancellor (VC) that all the SC/ST faculty members have resigned from their administrative duties, it has come to light that all the teachers in the forum are not on the same page.

It has now come out in the open that all the SC/ST faculty members were consulted or informed before the forum had sent the letter.

A teacher from the campus who holds an important administrative post said that the move by the forum has not gone down well with all the SC/ST teachers on the campus.

“If a letter is sent on everyone’s behalf, then all the stakeholders should be consulted before it is sent. There are more than five SC/ST teachers holding administrative positions in UoH and we have not resigned yet,” said a Dalit faculty member, unwilling to be named.

Prof. V. Krishna, who was the Controller of Examinations, had resigned last week during the Academic Council meeting, and walked out of it. “Barring him, others have not resigned. I can’t comment on why the forum did not consult us, but we are going to remain in our positions,” said the Dalit faculty member. In response to the forum’s letter, Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao requested the convener, in an email to convey to the members to continue in their respective positions.

“If any colleague from the SC/ST Teachers’ Forum is unwilling to consider the VC’s request for continuation in an administrative office, the convener was requested to advise individuals to tender resignation, giving reason(s), which will be considered by the university accordingly,” said a press release from the varsity.