The Delhi University Teachers’ Association(DUTA) and student’s bodies asked on 14 May for a rollback of the decision to include a ‘Supreme Council’ member in the interview panel for admissions to St. Stephens College. They also criticised the intimidation of teachers who opposed the move.           

Principal of the college, John Varghese sent a formal warning to three dissenting professors telling that their comments were factually incorrect and completely concocted. The college has also issued instructions that such unruly behaviour would attract an appropriate action against them. He further wrote that decision to include a council member in the interview panel was made by council itself and not by the principal. The guidelines for this were ‘duly reported’ in the meeting of governing body in the presence of teacher representatives.  

The professors in their statements had objected to the move saying that the decision is the violation of the college’s constitution. They also opined that this is in contradiction with judgement of Supreme Court that allowed the college to conduct admissions on the ground that they would be conducted by teachers. In addition to this, they alleged that it was against the interest of college to bring in another member of supreme council by the principal provided that council also decides his appointment.  

Nandita Narain, Associate Professor at the college, one of the professors who received the warning letter told that the proposal was not discussed at the governing body meeting, during which teacher’s representatives had taken notes. The happenings in the meetings have not been circulated so far. She further added, “Even if it had been passed, it is against the constitution of the college.”