Delhi University Teachers Protest Against Attendance Notice for Faculty

On July 29, the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) organized a protest at the Faculty of Technology, calling for the immediate retraction of a memorandum issued to 34 faculty members regarding their attendance on the first day of the new academic session. The notice, which requested written explanations for their absence during the initial one-and-a-half hours of the academic year, was described by the association as 'arbitrary', 'stigmatic', and 'coercive'. This demonstration occurred just one day after the commencement of the 2026-27 academic session, highlighting the tensions between faculty members and the administration. The memorandum mandated that the affected teachers provide signed explanations for their absence between 9 AM and 10:30 AM on the inaugural day, with a deadline set for 5 PM the same day. The communication stressed that their absence on such a crucial day was taken seriously and warned of potential disciplinary measures for those who failed to comply or whose explanations were deemed unsatisfactory. The memorandum explicitly stated that failure to submit an explanation or providing an inadequate one would be considered a significant administrative error, potentially leading to further action by the university's governing bodies.

In response to the memorandum, DUTA promptly sent a letter to the Dean of the Faculty of Technology, demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the notice. The association argued that the memorandum undermined the respect owed to educators and violated principles of natural justice. DUTA criticized the tone of the communication, asserting that it unfairly presumed guilt on the part of the faculty members before any facts were established. They emphasized that the memorandum's stigmatizing nature was inappropriate, as it required teachers to provide detailed written explanations under the threat of disciplinary action, implying that they had committed an infraction. The association expressed that the dignity of the teaching staff was compromised, as they were treated as if they were guilty until proven innocent. DUTA President V S Negi pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that the memorandum was issued on Guru Purnima, a day dedicated to honoring teachers in India. He remarked that it was unfortunate for the University of Delhi to subject its faculty to humiliation on such a significant occasion, stating that such actions erode trust and damage the morale of the academic community.