CHANDIGARH: The standoff between faculty members and the Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, has intensified, with the faculty informing the VC that they have launched a non-cooperation campaign against his office. They said they would restrict themselves to teaching and evaluation work, citing alleged continued mental harassment.
The dispute began on August 10, when RGNUL faculty gave Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Jai S Singh a 48-hour notice alleging a lack of transparency in administrative matters and sought the intervention of Chancellor Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, and afterwards went on a pen-down strike. They alleged irregularities in promotions, interference in the curriculum, opaque functioning of the VC’s office and questionable appointments that bypassed the Registrar and Deans.
The faculty claimed that on August 27, they wrote to the VC again asking what he was doing to resolve the situation but were not given a clear answer. The Vice Chancellor then called a meeting on August 31, where the only agenda item was to organise a guest lecture and call it a “National Conference”, to which all faculty objected.
A letter today signed and sent by the faculty members to the VC, a copy of which is with the TNIE, reads, “In response to continued lack of trust in your office and procedures, it is humbly submitted that the aggrieved faculty at RGNUL collectively resolve the following: We do not need promotions from your office unless autocratic, arbitrary and vindictive attitude and action is proven to be no more there. We do not need any arrears or incentives due to your revengeful and manipulative approach. We request you to not initiate any faculty welfare schemes since you lack our trust.”
“Proceedings of the meeting held on August 31 were not signed by us. Arbitrary transfer of Dean’s Offices must stand cancelled. No transfers or changes be made to any post for current academic session. No action under the garb of this faculty meeting should be taken,” the letter added.
The letter concluded, “Faculty launches non-cooperation against VC Office, and will not engage in any work other than teaching and evaluation to save ourselves from continued mental harassment. We hereby stand for our dignity and institution’s reputation.”
Earlier, in a letter sent to Vice Chancellor Jai S Singh and the university authorities on August 10, the faculty members objected to a recent promotion decision and raised concerns over several other issues.
Vice Chancellor Jai S Singh was not available for comments.