Varsity profs terminated; students, staff hold rally in Delhi

The Dr BR Ambedkar University Delhi’s (AUD’s) move to terminate the employment of two senior faculty members, Prof Salil Mishra and Prof Asmita Kabra, has sparked widespread controversy and outcry from students, faculty and education activists. The decision follows their involvement in the regularisation of 38 non-teaching staff under the ‘One Time Absorption Policy’, which is aimed at formalising the employment of staff who had contributed significantly to the university’s early development.

The regularisation of the staff had been a long-standing demand of the university’s teaching and non-teaching staff as well as students. However, despite a report by the Dr G S Patnaik committee, which exonerated all administrators involved in the decision, the university’s Board of Management (BoM) authorised the Vice-Chancellor to form another committee to investigate the matter. While no evidence of corruption or financial irregularities was found, the inquiry committee termed the professors’ actions as ‘conduct unbecoming of a public servant’, ultimately leading to their termination.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday held in solidarity with the terminated professors, Uma Gupta, convener of the Democratic Teachers’ Front, condemned the decision. “We have come together in solidarity with our colleagues of great integrity and principles, Salil and Asmita, who have been punished for daring to speak up in favour of equitable public education,” Gupta stated.

Prerna, president of AISA AUD, echoed the sentiment, adding, “Hundreds of students from across Delhi have come together today to say that an attack on our teachers is an attack on all of us.”

Prominent academics from other institutions also expressed their solidarity with the two professors. Professor Atul Sood from JNU said, “Solidarity is essential among all teachers across universities as this attack is not just on two individuals but on the broader academic community.”

Prof Ravindran Gopinath of Jamia Millia Islamia said, “The all-round destruction of public education has peaked under this government. From students, teachers to non-teaching staff, we must fight the havoc of austerity through solidarity.”

Prof Vijender Chauhan from ZHDC, Delhi University, said, “This government wants to run the universities through fear of consequence, but we have time and again shown that we will break this fear and reclaim the spaces of democratic action.”

Gopalji Pradhan, Vice-President of the AUD Faculty Association (AUDFA), criticised the timing of the terminations, noting that Prof Mishra had only eight months left before retirement, and Prof Kabra’s resignation had been left unaccepted by the university. “This termination is not a clerical decision but a tactic to create an example and instill fear in those who raise their voices for marginalised communities within the university,” said Pradhan.

Delhi Science Forum’s D Raghunandan also lent his support, calling the termination a sign of the ongoing challenges faced by educators across India.

Many speakers, including JNUSU president Dhananjay, questioned the silence of the Delhi Government, which oversees AUD on the issue. “The struggle at AUD is not about it alone. It is also a reflection of the state of affairs under the fascist Modi government,” Dhananjay said, expressing solidarity with the terminated professors, their students and their colleagues.