3 professors of Delhi Universitys Department of Political Science have actually composed to the Acting Vice-Chancellor stating the appointment of the Head of the Department (HoD) had actually been carried out in “violation of the seniority concept”. They have actually asked that the choice either be overturned or the matter described the Chancellor.

“There was a choice in the EC (Executive Council) on how to determine seniority between a direct recruitee and promotee. We figure out seniority from the date of approval of the VC or the EC, which makes the direct recruitee senior in this case,” he had actually told The Indian Express.

“We are responsibility bound to draw your kind attention towards the reality that the consultation of Prof Sangit Kumar Ragi as the Head of the Department of Political Science is in infraction of the seniority concept to the best of our understanding … This representation is not against any private, as we continue to operate in a spirit of collegiality, but seeks to underline a point of concept that can have far-reaching effect for the Department and undoubtedly, for the university,” they wrote.

They said the decision was “arbitrary and unjustified” and has actually “set a wrong precedent” in the university, and requested the V-C to “either remedy the patently incorrect choice” or “refer this issue to the Honble Chancellor of the University”.

The letter was also marked to Registrar Vikas Gupta, and submitted to the DU Teachers Association (DUTA).

“In the bigger good of not just all the departments however likewise the University per se, University of Delhi administration should look into this matter and come up with some clearness. Long established seniority guidelines should be followed to set legitimate precedent for times to come,” she stated.

In her place, Rekha Saxena was made the Officiating HoD. Nevertheless, on June 4, Registrar Vikas Gupta provided an alert designating Ragi as the HoD “with instant impact for 3 years”.

“This appointment likewise runs in conflict of the 2018 gazette alert of the UGC norms and the mandatory directions made by the UGC, in relation to the ascertainment of seniority, vide notice dated July 18, 2018,” the trio composed.

Provision 1 of Ordinance XXIII of the notification mentions that “the Head of the Department will be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor by observing, as far as possible, the concept of rotation.” It also specifies that seniority will be the basis of rotation.

Saxena, apparently initially in line for the position, followed by professors Ashok Acharya and Madhulika Banerjee, wrote to Acting V-C P C Joshi on June 21 versus the decision.

DUTA President Rajib Ray stated, “We had a conference of the office-bearers yesterday. We will be composing tomorrow morning, but we are not siding with one or the other. The problem is not new, it has actually been occurring in department after department for many years due to the fact that of the analysis of guidelines. Straight cut guidelines require to come up,” he said. Acting V-C P C Joshi reiterated that the headship had been offered to the senior-most instructor. “Anybody can make any complaint, which is fine. We have actually followed the principle of seniority,” he said.

“The seniority of the signatories to this petition has actually never ever been disputed and even reflected on the website of the University which plainly reveals that the three Professors are senior to Prof. Ragi,” they wrote.

The Indian Express had reported on June 5 that the visit of Sangit Kumar Ragi as HoD had actually raised eyebrows both within and outside the department. Ragi had actually to be selected after Former HoD Veena Kukreja died of post-Covid problems on May 14.

The issue is not brand-new, it has actually been happening in department after department for lots of years due to the fact that of the analysis of rules. Straight cut guidelines need to come up,” he stated. We have actually followed the principle of seniority,” he stated.

They stated Saxena was appointed Professor on August 23, 2010, Acharya on October 29, 2010, and Banerjee on December 22, 2010, all through promo, whereas Ragi was designated Professor by direct recruitment in 2014.

Registrar Vikas Gupta had previously declared Ragi was the senior-most. “There was a decision in the EC (Executive Council) on how to identify seniority in between a direct recruitee and promotee. In this case, the direct recruitees joined on November 3, 2014, and their suggestion was authorized by the then VC on November 1, 2014. When it comes to the promotees, the recommendation of the Selection Committee was approved by the then VC on November 7, 2014. So we determine seniority from the date of approval of the VC or the EC, that makes the direct recruitee senior in this case,” he had informed The Indian Express.

Acharya said there had actually been no reaction to the letter by the V-C yet. Saxena stated that passing the existing rules, her “head-ship will come after 9 years” and by the time she becomes Head, “the other 2 associates would have already retired”.