The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) calls for a complete shutdown of the University of Delhi (DU) as a protest against a new proposal.
The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) calls for a complete shutdown of the University of Delhi (DU) as a protest against a new proposal. The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), on Tuesday, called for a complete shutdown of the University of Delhi (DU), on 25th October. This decision follows after the protests against the new Institute of Eminence proposal which aims to set up nine new centres with power to decide their fee structure, admission and appointment criteria. It has also called for a Dharna from 1 pm to 3 pm, when the Executive Council is scheduled to meet to deliberate on this issue.
The decision to call for a complete shutdown was taken after the association called an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue. The protest is also for the withdrawal of a letter dated 28th
August, that puts a stop to further Ad hoc appointments and threatens the conversion of all fresh vacancies into Guest Faculty positions.
“Along with the demand for withdrawal of the 28th August letter (issued by the DU Administration) that puts a stop to further ad-hoc appointments and threatens the conversion of all fresh vacancies into Guest Faculty positions, the DUTA has decided to go on the warpath against the Government’s attempts to push privatisation through the NEP, delink and autonimise DU colleges and impose massive fee hikes on students from the next academic session,” said the Press Release released on 24th October by the DUTA.
At present, the DU administration controls the fee structure, admission and appointment criteria in all its departments and colleges. As per DU’s proposal, these nine centres will offer courses
in public health, climate change and sustainability, governance and public policy, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and performing arts, among others.
On 24th October, students and staff of various colleges were also seen protesting. The students and the staff association of Gargi Colleges and Kamala Nehru College formed a human chain with slogans like, “Education is not for sale.” The DUTA has appealed to the Vice-Chancellor as well as other
members of the EC to reject this proposal.
The DUTA plans on gathering the support of public representatives, civil society organizations, and other university and students’ organizations for a counter-offensive against the policies on Higher Education, before the Winter Session of the parliament.
Rajib Ray, DUTA President, said in an interview to DU Beat, “Further steps will be decided in the coming few days. The next thing will definitely be on the 14th. But before the 14th also, we will see what to do.”
Featured Image Credits: India Today
Satviki Sanjay
[email protected]
Comments are closed.