Over 30 DU faculty members get memo for reporting late on Day 1, DUTA stages dharna

DUTA staged a dharna at Delhi University's Faculty of Technology after 34 faculty members were asked to explain their absence on the first morning of the academic session. The row has sharpened questions over administrative conduct, natural justice and the dignity of teachers.DU faculty get memo for late attendance; DUTA stages dharna, demands withdrawal (Image source: PTI)The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) staged a dharna at the Faculty of Technology on Wednesday, protesting a memorandum issued to 34 faculty members over their absence during the first one-and-a-half hours of the new academic session and demanding its immediate withdrawal.The teachers' body alleged that the notice was "arbitrary", "stigmatic" and "coercive", and accused the university administration of undermining the dignity of teachers.The protest comes a day after the Faculty of Technology issued a memorandum directing 34 faculty members to explain their absence between 9:00 am and 10:30 am on the first day of the 2026-27 academic session.The teachers were instructed to submit signed written explanations by 5:00 pm the same day. The memorandum stated that their absence on an important academic day was being viewed seriously and warned that failure to respond, or submitting an unsatisfactory explanation, could lead to disciplinary proceedings under the University of Delhi's rules and regulations. The notice stated that non-compliance or an inadequate explanation would be treated as a "serious administrative lapse" and could be referred to the competent authority for appropriate action.DUTA ALLEGES VIOLATION OF NATURAL JUSTICEObjecting to the memorandum, DUTA wrote to the Dean of the Faculty of Technology, demanding its immediate and unconditional withdrawal. The teachers' association argued that the language of the memorandum presumed faculty members were guilty before any facts had been established, calling it "wholly unbecoming" of the dean's office.According to DUTA, directing teachers to submit signed explanations under the threat of disciplinary action was stigmatising and violated the principles of natural justice. The association also claimed the communication compromised the dignity of teachers by treating them as though they were guilty unless they proved otherwise.DUTA President V S Negi described the timing of the memorandum as "deeply ironic and unfortunate", noting that it was issued on Guru Purnima, a day dedicated to honouring teachers.In a statement, Negi said that instead of celebrating and respecting educators, the university had subjected them to humiliation through what he termed a coercive and stigmatic memorandum. He added that such actions erode trust, damage academic morale and are unworthy of a premier educational institution.TALKS FAIL, DHARNA CONTINUESDUTA said its office-bearers met the Dean and urged the administration to withdraw the memorandum immediately. However, the meeting ended without any assurance, prompting the association to launch a dharna at the Faculty of Technology.Teachers gathered at the protest site in solidarity, asserting that the demonstration was aimed at protecting the dignity, self-respect and rights of the teaching community.DUTA VOWS TO CONTINUE AGITATIONThe teachers' body has said the protest will continue until the memorandum is withdrawn unconditionally. It has urged the Delhi University administration to abandon what it described as coercive measures and instead uphold the dignity and autonomy of its faculty members.With neither side showing signs of backing down, the standoff between DUTA and the university administration is set to continue. The controversy has sparked a wider debate over administrative accountability, faculty rights and the treatment of teachers within higher educational institutions.- EndsPublished By: Apoorva AnandPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 09:21 IST