Professors write to JNU VC against appointment of dean

New Delhi: Four senior professors of JNU's School of Social Science (SSS), undersigned faculties have written a letter to the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) express their surprise, dismay and extreme concern meanwhile urging him to revoke the decision to appoint the new Dean of the School.

After CP Chandrasekhar's term ended on September 30, the Vice-Chancellor appointed Prof Pradipta K Chaudhary - sixth in line of seniority - as the dean of the School of Social Sciences (SSS). In a letter to V-C M Jagadesh Kumar, the senior-most professor, Kunal Chakrabarti, and three others Rajat Datta, Jayati Ghosh and Ravi Srivastava said the decision has "surprised" and "dismayed" them as the JNU has a long-standing practice of going by seniority and rotation.

Binod Khadria, who is fifth in seniority, is on a long leave abroad.

"JNU has a long standing practice and a well-established norm, of going by seniority and rotation in the appointment of Chairperson and Dean of various Centers and schools. However, in the current instance, this appointment has meant superseding five professor, who have more seniority, without reasons being provided at all, and without checking the availability of those professors to take on the position," quoted in letter sent to V-C of JNU.

The letter also added that this is clearly an arbitrary and unprecedented decision, which in our view is also legally untenable. It can give rise to fears of arbitrariness and favouritism, since the well established objective norm has been bypassed. "Since the dean is involved in Selection Committees of faculty members, it may add to concerns that admin may be trying to exert undue and partisan influence over selections," the letter said.

The JNU registrar or the Vice-Chancellor did not respond to calls or messages in the issue. After the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) criticised the appointment, seven emeritus professors had accused the V-C of breaching conventions and ignoring objections of the faculty in this matter.