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In a First, HC Orders Special Exam for Visually Challenged Aspirant Who Missed Train

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Setting an example of upholding the rights of disabled students, the Delhi High Court ordered the University of Delhi to conduct another entrance exam in order to aid a visually challenged aspirant.

On 22nd August 2017, the Delhi High Court directed the University of Delhi (DU) to conduct an entrance examination for the visually challenged youth who could not appear for the M.Phil. Sanskrit entrance test. The candidate was unable to take the examination as he could not board the railway coach reserved for disabled persons, owing to the irresponsibility of the Indian Railways.

Background

On 4th July 2017, Vaibhav Shukla booked a ticket for Delhi in the Jharkhand Sampark Kranti. He was going to Delhi to give an entrance exam which was scheduled for 5th July, 2017. When the train was delayed, he decided to catch the Gorakhdham Express which departs from Unnao at 10:45 p.m. on 4th July and reaches Delhi at 5:55 a.m. the next day. However, Gorakhdham Express arrived 13 hours late from its scheduled arrival. When Vaibhav and his driver tried to board the train, they found that the reserved coach was locked from inside. Since the stoppage was only for two minutes, he could not make it to another reserved coach as it was at the other end of the train, thus, ended up missing the train. Once in Delhi, he told the University authorities about his plight, but the officials refused to help him.

Legal Proceedings

After coming to know about Vaibhav’s situation, a bench of Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar initiated a suo moto cognizance on 7th July. Subsequently, they sent notices to the Union of India, North Eastern Railways, and the University of Delhi.

In response to the notice, DU argued that relief cannot be granted to Mr. Vaibhav Shukla. One of the arguments was that since all candidates must be judged through the same test, it is not feasible to conduct another exam. DU also contended that if entrance test is repeated it will set a precedent for future where anyone who turns up late can demand another chance.

All these arguments were contested by amicus curiae Mr. S.K. Runga. He pointed out that for all exams, DU prepares two question papers that are of the same level of difficulty. While one paper is already utilised, the second paper remains with DU and can be used for Vaibhav’s test. Therefore, the inconvenience of having to prepare a fresh question paper is irrelevant. With regards to the concern that the present case will be used as a precedent, it will be made clear that the order has been passed in the special circumstances and this case cannot be cited as a precedent.

After hearing all arguments, the court ruled for another entrance exam and said, “It is directed that within ten days from today, the University of Delhi shall conduct an entrance examination for the respondent no. 4 for admission to the M.Phil. (Sanskrit) 2017-18 session forthwith and declare his result.”

Feature Image Credits- The Hindu

Niharika Dabral

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Delhi University deputy proctor heckles Scribe, apologises later

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Yesterday, in an apparent case of misplaced aggression, Deputy Proctor Swasti Alpana abused and snatched a Times of India (TOI) reporter’s phone. The TOI journalist was trying to record the violence created by ABVP members for evidence.

On Friday, some members of the Right-wing students’ association Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had come to meet the Dean of Students Welfare around 2 pm. When they came out, some of them broke flower pots outside the dean’s office and were soon joined by others. According to Press Trust of India (PTI), DUSU had demanded to resolve issue of 400 final year B.Com. students who had failed in Computer Applications practical examination. 

The TOI reporter alleges that she was recording the vandalism on her cell phone and that’s when Deputy Proctor snatched her phone and threatened to lodge a FIR against her. The Deputy Proctor then asked the other journalists who had been speaking to officials there about the strike to sit in the Media Room.  She was joined by another deputy proctor Ritu Chowdhary in the screaming act. Others in the office kept quiet even as the two women officials kept on abusing the TOI reporter.

When the TOI reporter requested the phone be returned, Alpana refused to budge. Instead, she ordered that all journalists be removed from her office and taken to a “media room”. However, about 20 minutes later, when the reporter went back to the office to ask for the phone she handed it over and quipped that the photograph could have been taken “in a certain way, subtly”.

After the incident was brought to light, Ms Swasti Alpana said in her defense that she mistook the trainee journalist for a Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) member, who was clicking her photographs without her permission. She reasoned, “I remember all regular journalists who visit the campus and this one was not carrying any identity card and I mistook her for DUSU member who was trying to click my photographs without my permission.”

Another journalist who witnessed the entire incident alleged that despite informing them about our identity, the two deputy proctors never stopped misbehaving.

However, a day after the incident took place, Ritu Chowdhary, Deputy Proctor, rendered an apology and a clarification. “I always stand for freedom of expression. I deeply apologise for not helping out the girl and not condemning the criminal act of Swasti Alpana. However, I never abused or shouted at the journalist. I condemn the criminal act of Swasti Alpana that she snatched the girl’s phone and bullied her,” she said.  Talking to DU Beat, Ms. Ritu Chowdhary asserted that in the message she sent to the TOI journalist she offered to depose as a witness if TOI decides to lodge a FIR against the harassment.

(With inputs from Press Trust of India)

Image Credits: du.ac.in

Niharika Dabral
[email protected]

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Delhi University’s Ad-hoc teachers go on a hunger strike to earn a permanent status

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Over 200 ad-hoc faculty members of University of Delhi observed a day-long hunger strike on Friday, April, 28th, 2017. The strike was observed in order to press their demand to be absorbed as permanent faculty by the University.

The hunger-strike was organised at the Delhi University Arts’ Faculty premises where the ad-hoc faculty members from across the University discussed the problems and irregularities they are subject to by the University. According to Himanshu Singh, an Assistant Professor (ad-hoc) at Satyawati College (Evening),  these teachers are not being made permanent for a long time, and are forced to enjoy a sub-par status, which does not allow them to enjoy the privileges/facilities the permanent members get. He also added while in conversation with IANS, “Some of us have been teaching us for more than ten years, some even more. Why are we not good enough for permanent status, when the university can trust us with teaching students, their evaluation, and their careers?”

The Assistant Professor also told that the ad-hoc teachers are hired through the same selection process as permanent teachers.

According to another ad-hoc teacher from Satyawati College, they will also march to the Vice-Chancellor’s office and present him with a charter on their demands. The Delhi University Teachers’ Association extended its complete support to the protesting teachers in their bid to earn a permanent faculty status in the University.

 

Feature Image Credits: indianexpress.com

 

Priyal Mahtta

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JNU Alumnus Appointed as New VC of Delhi University

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Professor Yogesh Kumar Tyagi, who is currently the Dean of Faculty of Legal Studies at South Asian University (SAU), has been appointed as the new VC of Delhi University, succeeding Dinesh Singh. Last week, four names were given to the President for the high profile post. The names, apart from Tyagi, were JNU professor Rameshwar Nath Kaul Bemezai, former IIT professor and UPSC member Hemchand Gupta and Bidyut Chakraborty, a professor in the Political Science Department. As the Visitor to all central universities, the President went along with the HRD ministry’s choice, which was in this case, Professor Tyagi.

yogesh(1)
Professor Tyagi

Yogesh Tyagi has a PhD in legal studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University and an LLM in Legal Studies from Columbia University. He said that he was very positive and would invite ideas for making the university better. He is seeking ideas from a wide range of people who are better than him and says that he will try to ensure quality education. He wants to work on a collective platform so that everyone is aware of what is going on and everyone’s opinion can be taken on any issue. He wants to create opportunities for all and deliver the best in education.

After Dinesh Singh’s controversial tenure ended on 28th of October, the office had been under the pro-VC Sudhish Pachauri. Professor Tyagi will take up the prestigious post after he is relieved of his current obligation at the South Asian University.

Image credits: The Indian Express

Arindam Goswami

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