No teacher, staff member will be forced to resign, says SPPU VC amid political interference row

Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) vice-chancellor Suresh Gosavi has assured its teachers and non-teaching staff that no employee will be forced to resign under pressure from the public, any organisation or group. The assurance comes amid the alleged political interference in university affairs.

SPPU VC Gosavi, in an official statement, stated that the decisions concerning students, teachers, employees , and officers would be taken as per the legal process and no decision involving staff action would be taken without thorough inquiry.

The statement from the VC comes after over 100 professors and non-teaching staff members raise concerns about alleged external interference in the university affairs .

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“The head of the university hostel had requested the Vice Chancellor to remove him from his post on his own accord, considering the seriousness of the situation at that time, but the incorrect report published about his removal will be refuted,” the statement read.

Gosavi also said that the university premises will not be used for any protests, or programmes not related to the institution.

He also assured that servants will be given additional responsibilities along with the necessary powers. The university will not compromise on the respect and fundamental rights of all teachers, and servants as well as students, he added.

Recently, the SPPU formed a high-level committee to probe an incident in which two male students allegedly questioned a female student inappropriately outside the girls’ hostel and tried to intimidate her.

In addition, a police complaint was also filed by the university against the students involved, and the admission or entry of both students to the academic departments and the hostel was suspended with immediate effect.