<p>Delhi University Teachers’ Association, which started its indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday, is questioning heavy police security and video recording of their protest.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“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.<br /><br />Later, when police visited the spot and saw no act of violence, the force was asked to return, Sharma added.<br /><br />He also said during the academic congress held in September, heavy RAF presence was also seen where a group of teachers and students protested.<br /><br />“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.<br />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.<br /><br />A senior DU official said police presence and video recording is due to security issues.<br />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.</p>
<p>Delhi University Teachers’ Association, which started its indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday, is questioning heavy police security and video recording of their protest.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“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.<br /><br />Later, when police visited the spot and saw no act of violence, the force was asked to return, Sharma added.<br /><br />He also said during the academic congress held in September, heavy RAF presence was also seen where a group of teachers and students protested.<br /><br />“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.<br />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.<br /><br />A senior DU official said police presence and video recording is due to security issues.<br />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.</p>