The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), which had always been up in arms against outgoing Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh, observed “good riddance day” on Wednesday as Mr. Singh demitted office.
A programme of cultural protest, in which a large number of teachers and students participated, was organised at North Campus. The participants sang protest songs, performed street plays and displayed colourful posters showing their happiness over the end of Mr. Singh’s term.
Teachers from Hindu College, Bhagini Nivedita College, College of Vocational Studies, Swami Shraddhanand College, Satyawati College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Aryabhatt College and Kirori Mal College; retired teachers who have been denied pension; students who have been rusticated; and teachers whose services have been terminated gave testimonies. The teachers and students shared their experiences with the V-C during what they called a “jan sunwai”.
“This is the best thing to happen to DU in recent times. We hope that sense prevails with the decision-making bodies and the appointment of the new V-C is done with utmost care,” said one participating teacher.
“Through the ‘good riddance day’, DUTA wants to draw attention to the decision of the government allowing Sudhish Pachauri to officiate as V-C after Mr. Singh’s departure. Prof. Pachauri has been complicit in every academic and administrative crime perpetrated by the Dinesh Singh Administration. The government was expected to have been sensitive to the anguish of the academic community of DU, but has disappointed teachers and students by allowing the Dinesh Singh regime to continue,” said a DUTA member.
The association also brought out a “White Paper” listing the number of violations that took place during Mr. Singh’s regime as V-C.
“DUTA will continue to struggle until the injustice perpetrated on the University community in terms of denial of pension, promotions, permanent appointments with proper roster and appointment procedures, dilution of academic standards and crushing of democratic spaces is reversed,” the DUTA member added.
