Hindu College staff body condemns show-cause notices to its members

New Delhi: The Hindu College Staff Association passed a resolution on Thursday condemning the college governing body for issuing show-cause notices to three of its members, including its president, Ratan Lal. The action occurred amid an ongoing dispute over alleged irregularities in admissions and subsequent disciplinary action against faculty members.

The Hindu College Staff Association (HCSA) said it will provide legal aid to the faculty members facing disciplinary proceedings. The HCSA wondered how, when the association unanimously raised concerns about "irregularities in admissions" at its meetings on August 18 and September 8, three of its members were targeted.

It described the show-cause notices as an attempt to "strip the HCSA and its executive of their identity and legitimacy" in the college's functioning. The HCSA took note of reports of the administration's intimidation of student and teacher protesters and those acting on its behalf, and resolved not to accept any "punitive/disciplinary action".

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HCSA removes principal, vice-principal

The HCSA has authorised its executive to decide the future course of action regarding the notices. As part of its resolution, the association decided to remove Hindu College Principal Anju Srivastava and Vice-Principal Reena Jain from HCSA membership. Hindu College Principal Anju Srivastava told PTI, "The decision to send the show-cause notices was taken by the Governing Body, following which the staff association had its emergency meeting today.

The show-cause notices are simply a chance to open the door for discussion and, as per the rules, they are expected to submit their explanations within seven days of receipt of the notice. "The development comes against the backdrop of a dispute over admissions under the extracurricular activities (ECA) and sports categories at the college.

At an emergency meeting on August 18, the staff association alleged "over-admissions" in select departments and accused the college principal of playing a "dubious role" in facilitating the admissions. It also alleged that the college's statutory bodies were bypassed. The principal rejected the allegations, saying Delhi University made the allocations directly and that she had no role beyond final approvals.

Show-cause notices issued to faculty

The Governing Body subsequently issued show-cause notices dated September 8 to Lal and Vijayan, which, according to the professors, reached them on Wednesday. In the notice to Lal, the Governing Body referred to his August 18 statement and subsequent communications, alleging that he had made statements that discredited the college and brought its name into disrepute.

It cited his allegations of procedural and rule violations in admissions and alleged that he had violated the code of conduct applicable to DU teachers. In Vijayan's case, the Governing Body referred to an August 21 email he sent to faculty members and alleged that it contained derogatory and offensive characterisations of fellow faculty members.

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Both notices directed the faculty members to submit their explanations within seven working days of receiving the notice, failing which disciplinary action could be taken for alleged "gross misconduct, indiscipline and insubordination". The staff body expressed dismay over the show-cause notice to Associate Professor of English P K Vijayan, saying he had expressed "sincere regret" for possibly hurting the sentiments of certain colleagues at the September 8 meeting.