Hindu college takes action against 7 teachers, DUTA condemns

Hindu college has penalised seven teachers for allegedly "defaming" the institution by writing to Lieutenant Governor about illegal construction on the campus, inviting strong criticism from the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA).
The seven teachers - Atul Gupta, Ish Mishra, P K Vijayan, Poonam Sethi, Ratan Lal, Rajesh Kumar and Sachin Vashistha - had last year written to L-G Najeeb Jung, alleging irregularities in construction of a girls' hostel, following which an inquiry committee was set up which found them guilty of "gross misconduct" and "defaming the college".
The written order served on seven teachers by the Principal lists the punitive actions to be taken against them including loss of two annual increments and being debarred from holding any administrative post for five years.

"They will be continuously under watch and reports on their conduct will be submitted to the Governing Body (GB) annually. This will be reviewed after five years by the GB and the fact of this punishment will be raised at any consideration of promotion," the order says.
The decision was taken in the GB meeting held on last Friday.
DUTA condemned the move as a "draconian" action by the college authorities and demanded revoking the order.
"The order will prevent the seven teachers from working as members of Staff Council committees, where they could articulate concerns about the functioning of the college, including the hostel and admissions.

"Such high-handedness clearly arises from the Chairman's misconception that the Hindu Education Trust 'owns' the College, as stated explicitly by the Chairman in the punishment order. We demand immediate recall of the said punishment order to seven teachers," DUTA President Nandita Narain said in a statement.