'Unjustified': Ambedkar University Delhi faculty demand revocation of professors' termination

NEW DELHI: The Ambedkar University Delhi Faculty Association (AUDFA) issued a statement condemning the recent termination of two faculty members, Salil Misra and Asmita Kabra. The Board of Management (BOM) of Dr BR Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) terminated the two professors following a departmental inquiry regarding regularising non-teaching positions that AUDFA claims was biased and unjust.

The AUDFA statement read, “These two senior colleagues have been made scapegoats for acting in their administrative capacities (as Pro VC and acting Registrar respectively), in helping implement a policy decision duly approved in 2018 by the BOM of AUD for one-time absorption of contractual non-teaching staff.”

Allegations of targeting and unjust scrutiny

According to AUDFA, both Misra and Kabra have faced prolonged and unjust scrutiny since 2019 through a series of repeated inquiries. As per the association, these ongoing investigations have reportedly hindered their career advancement and imposed personal tolls, including mental stress, emotional distress, and substantial legal expenses over the past five years. The association claims that these actions have unfairly prevented both professors from accessing professional opportunities.

AUDFA asserts decisions were endorsed by university authorities

According to AUDFA, Salil Misra and Asmita Kabra accepted their administrative roles with honesty and commitment, aiming solely to benefit the Ambedkar university community. The association clarified that the professors were neither involved in initiating nor approving the one-time absorption policy for non-teaching staff; instead, it was a decision collectively made by the university’s Board of Management (BOM) in 2018, following established procedures. The BOM, passed and directed the policy’s implementation, and the directorate of higher education was fully informed before finalising appointments.

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The AUDFA statement read, “We affirm that the two professors acted responsibly as AUD management, implementing a duly approved university policy which we believe was substantively equitable and fair. We assert that all their decisions were endorsed by the highest university authorities, and consequently to hold them individually liable and punish them reeks of vendetta and bias.”

However, in 2020, under a new vice chancellor and following orders from the DHE, the BOM reversed the policy. Since then, AUDFA claims, efforts have been made to place sole responsibility for this collective decision on Misra and Kabra, despite their limited involvement.

AUDFA calls for revocation of termination decision

AUDFA has demanded the Ambedkar university’s current administration to revoke the decision to terminate Salil Misra and Asmita Kabra, describing the move as "draconian." The association views their dismissal as a violation of employee rights within the university system. AUDFA alleges that this action stems from a biassed inquiry conducted under the current administration and calls it both unjust and vindictive.

“We contend, without prejudice, that even if the BOM endorsed the findings of the final inquiry, the penalty - Removal from Service with the loss of all benefits –is grossly disproportionate and extreme for acts that were carried out in good faith and with no mala fide intent,” the official statement further added.