Drama continues at St Stephen’s, staffer suspended again
20 Dec 2014 7:20 AM IST
In another twist to the ongoing drama at St Stephen’s College, principal Valson Thampu has again suspended the administrative officer Subha Kumar Dash who alleged he was forced to convert to Christianity by the principal.
At the governing body meeting of the college held on Friday, only three out of 18 members opposed the suspension order. According to sources, the majority of governing body’s members are colleagues of Thampu from Church of North India and his associates.
The source also revealed an enquiry will be set up to probe the matter. The move comes after Thampu recently revoked the suspension order and asked Dash to join office immediately.
A professor on the basis of anonymity said, “Dissent of teachers represent view of whole teachers’ community. Everybody knew Subh dash worked hard for college. Even if an enquiry is set up, it should be independent. Sending messages doesn’t account for defamation. Though the principal is also claiming Dash is an alcoholic but we have never seen any such behaviour of his .”
The Administrative Officers’ Association (AOA) of the university, who has also written letter to university vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh to look into the matter, says they would first speak to Thampu before taking any further action into the issue. “We have not spoken to him yet. We want to speak to him first to know why he took such step,” said Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, a member of AOA. Dash was suspended on December 10 for “gross misconduct” and sending “defamatory messages”.
Dash had alleged the principal forced him and his family to convert to Christianity.
Later, a petition was filed in the High Court by Dash to challenge his suspension. On the day before the hearing, Thampu revoked the suspension order and asked Dash to join with immediate effect. St Stephen’s principal Valson Thampu had controversial past. It was alleged he had procured a ‘fake’ PhD degree, which is necessary for the post of principal in Delhi University.
At the governing body meeting of the college held on Friday, only three out of 18 members opposed the suspension order. According to sources, the majority of governing body’s members are colleagues of Thampu from Church of North India and his associates.
The source also revealed an enquiry will be set up to probe the matter. The move comes after Thampu recently revoked the suspension order and asked Dash to join office immediately.
A professor on the basis of anonymity said, “Dissent of teachers represent view of whole teachers’ community. Everybody knew Subh dash worked hard for college. Even if an enquiry is set up, it should be independent. Sending messages doesn’t account for defamation. Though the principal is also claiming Dash is an alcoholic but we have never seen any such behaviour of his .”
The Administrative Officers’ Association (AOA) of the university, who has also written letter to university vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh to look into the matter, says they would first speak to Thampu before taking any further action into the issue. “We have not spoken to him yet. We want to speak to him first to know why he took such step,” said Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, a member of AOA. Dash was suspended on December 10 for “gross misconduct” and sending “defamatory messages”.
Dash had alleged the principal forced him and his family to convert to Christianity.
Later, a petition was filed in the High Court by Dash to challenge his suspension. On the day before the hearing, Thampu revoked the suspension order and asked Dash to join with immediate effect. St Stephen’s principal Valson Thampu had controversial past. It was alleged he had procured a ‘fake’ PhD degree, which is necessary for the post of principal in Delhi University.
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