Delhi University: The Delhi University Academic Forum (DUAF) has written to the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), asking the teachers’ union to place a set of urgent institutional concerns on the agenda of DUTA’s General Body meeting.
The letter asked DUTA to prepare white papers, pass resolutions, and press the administration on issues ranging from campus safety to faculty recruitment rules. Speaking with NDTV, Dr Surendra Kumar explained that DUTA is a collective body of teachers and its office bearers are elected after every two years. Upon being asked what exactly is academic forum and how it is different from DUTA, Kumar highlighted that teachers are organised through organisations of two types. The first type contests elections for DUTA, and the second type may not contest election but it raises its voice to ensure and make campus a better place.
In a letter signed by DUAF chairperson Dr Surendra Kumar and vice-chairperson Dr Lata, the collective said a number of “pressing matters” require “substantive deliberation” and administrative accountability from the university and DUTA. “DUAF does not participate in elections , but we raise our voice in the larger interest of higher education and also organise dharna or protest as and when required,” Kumar noted.
Concerns Over Campus Violence and Teaching Environment
Recent incidents of harassment and violence against faculty, karamcharis, and students have raised significant concerns about safety on campus. A letter from an academic forum highlighted that these ongoing issues have severely compromised the campus environment.
In response, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has been urged to prepare a White Paper addressing the persistent violence affecting teachers and students. The forum called for immediate action to protect the integrity of classroom teaching, which they believe is being undermined by a shift towards corporate-driven online education.
Additionally, the forum recommended that the current practice of hiring guest faculty be replaced with ad hoc appointments until permanent positions can be filled. This move aims to stabilize the teaching staff amid ongoing challenges.
