Delhi University in the dock for regularisation of ad hoc teachers, SC/ST quota lapses

Several hours after the unions of Delhi University (DU) employees had a meeting with Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh to discuss the matter of non-fulfilment of SC/ST Reservation (NFS), fresh charges erupted in several departments of DU. During Friday's executive council (EC) meeting, the matter was raised as a stinging question regarding the Parliamentary Committee for SC/ST's strong criticism of DU's handling of the issue of reservation.

The registrar responded that the committee merely makes recommendations and is unable to force appointments. Specialists are of the opinion that the persistence of such cases is a testament not only to the non-existence of a robust, dynamic movement on the streets but to some mindset on the part of those in charge as well.

To explore the considerations for the criteria for identifying journals for scholarly use towards maintaining standards as well as conformity with the university's academic and research missions was also conducted.

Responding to this agenda, Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a senior executive council member, said, "When this agenda for placing the guidelines for discussion of the college journal before the consideration of today came up today, I objected to it immediately, raising 'point of order'. How does this academic matter come up for consideration before the executive council when we do not bring it before the academic council first? This is willfully going around the body of AC. DU VC was forced to place this in front of AC."

Another issue that was raised during the zero-hour meeting was regarding the regularisation of two ad hoc teachers in Germanic and Romance Studies department.

In this regard, some members vehemently opposed the anti-teaching stance of the university in pursuing an SLP on September 3, 2025, against the High Court directive.

He has declared, "The SLP filed in the case of ad hoc teachers completely goes against the positive step in the letter to the UGC supporting regularisation. It creates serious doubts about the seriousness of the university administration towards fulfilling the demands of contractual employees."

Simultaneously, Dhusiya also spoke about, "I protested strongly against the DU's move to file an SLP against the relief given by the court to Namita Khare and others in the matter of regularisation. I requested the university to withdraw the SLP and regularise all working ad hoc colleagues. VC flatly refused. There has to be a tough movement on the roads to compel DU to do so.".