JOIN USDUTA sees red over heavy security
Delhi University Teachers’ Association, which started its indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday, is questioning heavy police security and video recording of their protest.
“In August, when DUTA held a one-day strike, rapid action force (RAF) was called in huge number. When I asked the personnel stationed, they said that DU officials have called them due to possibility of violence,” DUTA president Amar Deo Sharma said.
Later, when police visited the spot and saw no act of violence, the force was asked to return, Sharma added.
He also said during the academic congress held in September, heavy RAF presence was also seen where a group of teachers and students protested.
“In both the protests, the teachers and students were demonstrating through street theatre, songs and slogan shouting. I don’t think any of these are violent,” a teacher said.
The teachers were also mocking the act of video recording of protests ordered by DU. “We are teachers of the varsity. We have been guiding and teaching students about non-violence and calling heavy police force and recording protests is demeaning. This shows how much trust DU has on its own teachers,” said another protesting teacher.
A senior DU official said police presence and video recording is due to security issues.
The teachers are demanding a dialogue with the vice chancellor over academic changes like proposal of four-year graduation from next year apart from issues like filling 4,000 vacant teaching positions. DUTA has also appealed for support from the DU’s non-teaching association.