Professor cries foul as HoD post slips from him

A Delhi University professor has alleged that he was denied the post of HoD of the Department of Philosophy on dubious grounds.

In his letter to DU Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh, professor Nirmalangshu Mukherjee said the “time-tested” principle of rotation of headship between professors followed in the university was bypassed.

“I wish to know the grounds on which the said principle has been denied to me. In particular, I wish to know whether the denial is the consequence of the malafide enquiry supposed to be constituted by the university against me,” he said in the letter.

Mukherjee declined to talk about the enquiry constituted against him seven months ago.

However, sources in the university say he was charged with going on an unsanctioned leave for a research project and not participating in checking of examination copies. The enquiry committee did not meet even for once, Mukherjee said.

“After my detailed rebuttal, the university maintained a deafening silence for seven months. Unless it is satisfactorily explained, the conclusion is unimpeachable that the false enquiry was constituted solely for the purpose of denying headship to me,” Mukherjee said in the letter.

Backing his claims, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association said there should have been a time-bound probe into this matter.

“This is yet another example of the vindictive attitude of the administration towards those who expressed opinions not to the liking of the VC and his team,” DUTA said in a statement.

Earlier this week, DUTA in its ‘white paper’ on alleged irregularities committed by the VC said the principle of rotation laid down under Ordinance XIII was not followed in appointment of HoDs for Zoology and Geology departments and the Faculty of Management Studies.