Six JNU teachers ousted from post of warden approach HC

New Delhi: Six teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who were among the 50 wardens replaced by the administration, have filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court against the move.

The petition, filed by the teachers through advocate Rahul Chaprana on Wednesday, states, "It is punitive, also because all the associated benefits of appointment of a warden are withdrawn, including special pay allowance and on-campus residential accommodation.

"The wardens have been denied their right of hearing and the impugned orders, therefore, are in violation of principles of natural justice."

It further stated that the move violates Articles 14 (right to equality before law) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution, adding that, "The petitioners, in their interaction with the Vice-Chancellor (M Jagadesh Kumar), were told that in principle 'new blood is good for the system' and, therefore, wardens who have served already for a number of years would not be renewed."

A statement by the six teachers said, "It is evident in the manner of renewal that there are wardens whose appointments have been renewed for full term, even though they have served as wardens for about 16 years. In stark contrast to this, wardens with only two terms have also been not renewed for full term."

"The JNU ordinance governing the appointment of wardens states that even as the term of a warden 'in the first instance' is for two years, 'the term would be renewable on the recommendation of the provost to the dean of students," they further stated.

An official said that wardens at the varsity are appointed for two-year terms, which are usually renewed.

Most wardens are younger teachers, who do not have alternative accommodation, and have the power to decide which events are held at the hostels, such as lectures in messes at night that attract prominent academics and politicians.

The termination of wardens can only be done on the basis of non-performance, as recommended by the provost of the area under which the said hostel falls.