Ambedkar varsity 'on brink of collapse', 32 faculty members resign, 22 embroiled in legal battles

Counterview Desk 

In a strongly worded statement, the Ambedkar University Delhi Faculty Association (AUDFA), even as insisting on the need to protect the top public institution, has said that the university "is now on the brink of collapse and fragmentation", accusing the administration for operating "with increasing impunity, subjecting faculty to harassment amid deteriorating working conditions."

Putting forward a list of demands, it said, "Over the past five years, 30 to 32 faculty members have departed, while 22 are embroiled in legal battles concerning promotions, financial recoveries, and harassment, with administration frequently suggesting that they 'go to court' in response to complaints". 

As a result, it added, the association had to resort to protest actions.

Text:

As the faculty association of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), we remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold our dignity as dedicated educators and researchers at an institution bearing the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Unfortunately, our university is now on the brink of collapse and fragmentation. 

Despite our continuous efforts to address various concerns, including appeals to higher authorities within and outside the University, our pleas have been met with indifference. Many of the issues we highlight have persisted for years; previous leaders of AUDFA have campaigned for resolution, yet little progress has been made. 

The administration now operates with increasing impunity, subjecting faculty to harassment amid deteriorating working conditions. Once a respected institution dedicated to equity and social justice, the university's standing has sharply declined. 

Over the past five years, 30 to 32 faculty members have departed, while 22 are embroiled in legal battles concerning promotions, financial recoveries, and harassment, with administration frequently suggesting that they "go to court" in response to complaints. The association is escalating its protest actions until our demands are met. 

A general assembly and demonstration are scheduled outside the Vice-Chancellor's office on Monday, August 12, 2024, followed by a hunger strike relay starting on August 13, 2024. We call upon all individuals and organizations devoted to safeguarding the values of a public university founded on social justice, as championed by Babasaheb Ambedkar, to stand in solidarity with us. 

Our Issues and demands

1. Immediate revocation of punitive transfers for faculty and staff who challenge injustices, raise concerns, or report harassment. 

2. Accused Deans should be required to "step down" pending the outcomes of investigations. 

3. Essential committees, such as the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for gender/sexual harassment, the Equal Opportunities Office, and the Grievance Redressal Committees, must function in accordance with UGC guidelines. Irregularities in their formation and operation, including delays in complaint processing, hinder their effectiveness in ensuring a just work environment. 

4. Immediate cessation of unjust financial recoveries from faculty members, in accordance with Supreme Court rulings on the matter. 

5. Despite the passage of over 15 years, AUD still lacks a permanent campus, and we demand that construction commence without delay. 

6. There is currently no major hospital empaneled with AUD; the list of available hospitals has only decreased over time. We urge immediate adoption of the DGHS scheme to ensure access to critical medical care. 

7. Several faculty members have faced unwarranted denials of promotions or demotions, severely impacting their morale. We ask the administration to adopt a supportive role, especially following the UGC's recent guidance on promotion procedures. All pending CAS promotion cases should be resolved promptly. 

8. Timely disbursement of statutory gratuity dues for retiring or departing employees. 

9. While we acknowledge recent improvements to classroom infrastructure, critical facilities such as the KG library and research scholars' rooms remain in disrepair. 

10. AUD has previously denied child-care leave to women employees, violating Supreme Court mandates; such requests should be honored without delay. 

11. Unlike traditional universities, where department heads and deans can efficiently manage operations, at AUD, even casual leave requires Vice-Chancellor approval. A few favored individuals hold multiple committees and positions, which undermines the democratic functioning of our institution. We demand a decentralized administrative structure that distributes responsibilities equitably. 

12. We insist on the rigorous enforcement of the Citizen Charter recently adopted by AUD, complete with clear timelines for processing. 

13. The statutory requirements of the Right to Information Act must be respected by regularly posting minutes from meetings of the Board of Management, Academic Council, and Court. 

14. Contractual faculty face significant financial and administrative challenges, including delays in salary disbursement and lack of timely access to office space, which hampers course delivery. 

15. We call for the elimination of bureaucratic red tape surrounding NOC issuance for professional activities, including conferences, workshops, and lectures. Current delays and rejections undermine the academic and creative work of our faculty. 

16. The administration must respect the previous allocation of office space to AUDFA and provide a designated official email address. 

17. The previous email policy should be reinstated, allowing faculty and staff access to both mailing lists, and the facstaff email ID should be reactivated. We insist on immediate action to address these issues to restore the integrity and vision of our university.