JNUTA condemns removal of chairpersons, deans opposing compulsory attendance

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JUNTA) on Thursday condemned the varsity administration’s move to remove a number of centre chairpersons and deans who are opposed to implementing the compulsory attendance system.

Expressing “deep shock” over the move by the university administration, the teacher's body has called for an emergency General Body Meeting on Friday.

“The JNUTA expresses deep shock at the string of post 9 pm communications replacing several centre chairpersons and deans of schools of the university and strongly condemns this act of the administration,” JNUTA president Sonajharia Minz said.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration had in January made minimum 75 per cent attendance compulsory for all students. However, if a student is absent on valid medical grounds then 60 per cent attendance will suffice.

An office order issued on Wednesday said, “The Vice-Chancellor has authorised to replace the existing Deans of Schools/Chairpersons of centres who have not complied with or refused to implement the attendance system in the varsity with acting deans/chairpersons.”

JNUTA secretary Sudhir K Suthar said, “While there has been no single instance of this administration working overtime to facilitate academic activity or research, the manner in which it has swung into action in order to implement terminations even before daybreak is indicative of its haste to put in place a compliant regime.”