Ex-DUTA president made Gujarat guv

Former Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) president OP Kohli has been appointed the governor of Gujarat. Kohli has been a dedicated teacher and a committed teacher activist. He is a former member of both the Academic Council and Executive Council of Delhi University. In fact, he along with Dr SS Rathi was the very first elected member of the EC.

In 1973, Kohli was elected DUTA president. He was jailed in June 1975 for 19 months during the Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi. He was re-elected DUTA president after emergency was lifted. Kohli was also Delhi BJP president for two terms. During his presidentship, BJP formed the state government with a record margin. He was later elevated to the Rajya Sabha.

According to his longtime colleague Inder Kapahy, two personality traits characterise Kohli. ‘First is his polite and pleasing demeanour. The second is his lifelong commitment to teachers, teaching and teachers movement. Irrespective of any high position he may have occupied he had always remained a teacher activist — a DUTA soldier,’ said Kapahy.

‘His contribution to the FYUP rollback has not been visible to all, but was one of the major contributory factors,’ said Kapahy.