'SSS Dean Must Go!': JNUTA condemns denial of CAS promotions to three colleagues

NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA) has organised a protest today, March 11, outside the office of the Dean of the School of Social Sciences (SSS). The JNUTA protest is being organized in response to the recent denial of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) promotions to three faculty members from SSS. JNU teachers have alleged that the denial of promotions was a result of ‘personal vendetta’ and procedural violations.

JNU teachers have strongly condemned the rejection of CAS promotions, stating that the three affected faculty members were highly qualified and met the required academic criteria.

According to JNUTA, one of the faculty members had previously served as the secretary of JNUTA during a difficult period in 2016 when JNU faced severe criticism, making them a target for victimization. As per JNU teachers, the other two faculty members are women, one of whom had already faced the undoing of a previously granted promotion, with the date of promotion being shifted by three years.

JNUTA states, “Unfortunately, the VC has also not kept her promise to look into the issue of rejection recommendations emanating from selection committees on account of their constitution, and their consideration of the applications, being deliberately designed to achieve that end. This is clear from the issue of orders of rejection of promotion to the three colleagues. The reality of what is happening in the case of promotions in JNU is clear from what has happened in SSS.”

JNUTA has pointed out that the denial of promotions is not an isolated incident. Several other schools in JNU have faced similar issues of promotion rejections and probation extensions. However, SSS stands out due to the number of rejections and the role of the dean in influencing the selection process.

Also read Who is the JNU professor booked in NAAC bribe-for-grade case?

Allegations against dean of SSS

JNUTA stated that the rejection of these promotions lacked any academic merit and termed the process as rigged. The JNU teachers association also raised concerns that the Dean of SSS influenced the selection committee to reject the promotions.

The association also alleged that the Dean, who is currently serving his second term, was appointed in violation of the order of seniority. Additionally, JNUTA noted that the Dean has not convened any Board of Studies (BoS) meetings for nearly two and a half years despite repeated requests. This, according to JNUTA, highlights a pattern of administrative failure.

JNUTA demands transparency from IQAC

JNUTA has demanded that the university administration address the issue of CAS promotion denials and take action against the alleged misconduct by the Dean of SSS. They have also criticized the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) for highlighting the number of promotions completed without disclosing pending promotion applications.

The JNUTA statement “The absence of any data about the number of promotions that are pending, the dates from which they are pending, and the time that has passed since the applications for the same were submitted – would the IQAC be courageous enough to share that information?” JNUTA have also stated that the current dean of SSS has 'lost the confidence' of his colleagues and should step down from his position.