JNU teachers' body calls for 'public probe' against V-C

NEW DELHI: For the first time in JNU, its teachers' association on Wednesday called for a "public inquiry" against Vice-Chancellor (V-C) M Jagadesh Kumar for allegedly violating various conventions of the university. The teachers' body, exercising its powers under the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) Constitution, set a three-day deadline for the V-C to submit his defence and state if he would appear for hearings in person or through a representative.

"In exercise of powers in JNUTA constitution, the association proposes to hold a public inquiry against the V-C for various violations. He is also given time till October 20 to submit a written statement in his defence," JNUTA President Ayesha Kidwai said in a release. Kidwai added that the hearings will take place at 5 pm from October 23-27.

"If the V-C fails to acknowledge or fails to appear, the hearings will be held ex-parte," the statement said. However, the JNUTA will try its best to uphold the principle of natural justice and in case he chooses not to represent his cans, will place before the inquiring authority professor Kumar's view on each of the charges to the extent that they can be inferred from official documents and statements.

JNUTA listed charges against the V-C and asked him to specifically deny or admit each charge. According to the Memorandum, "Detailed statements of the imputations of misconducts and misbehaviour in support of each article of charge which will be placed before the inquiry authority will also be conveyed to professor Kumar."

Some of the allegations included undermining the integrity of faculty selection process, violation of reservation policy, harassing teachers and denying their legitimate dues, undermining sexual harassment watchdog GSCASH and callous attitude in missing student Najeeb Ahmed's case.

Legal experts and eminent citizens were expected to chair the hearings and issue a judgement. The VC did not respond when contacted for a reaction on the JNUTA statement.

JNUTA said that Kumar sent word that he was busy in meetings and couldn't meet the assembled teachers. The charge-sheet was received by the VC's office.