Dean suspension: JNU teachers demand apology from CUJ VC

Dean of CUJ Shreya Bhatacharji was suspended earlier this week by the Vice-Chancellor Nand Kishore Yadav

JNU Teachers Association has condemned the reported suspension of Central University of Jharkhand Dean for inviting a JNU professor to an event and has demanded a public apology from the Jharkhand varsity's VC in this regard.

Dean of the Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) Shreya Bhatacharji was suspended earlier this week by the Vice-Chancellor Nand Kishore Yadav for inviting JNU professor NM Panini to an event to mark Sardar Patel's birth anniversary earlier this month.

"The suspension order issued by the university to Bhatacharji says that Panini is considered as mentor of the group of students of JNU, who were involved in anti-national activities in JNU campus recently. The invitation without examining his credentials, led to widespread criticism resulting in tarnishing of university and VC's reputation," a member of the JNUTA said.

"The presumption underlying the accusation - that the credentials of the invited scholar, were questionable as he is considered to be mentor of the group of anti-nationals would be laughable if it were not a scandal.

"We demand immediate withdrawal of the suspension orders and termination of all disciplinary proceedings against Bhatacharji. We also demand that the VC of Jharkhand university issues a public apology to Panini," JNUTA said in a statement.

Panini, who did not eventually attend the event scheduled on March 19 after he was informed of the cancellation, has said he is "upset and appalled at the suspension of Bhattacharji".

Meanwhile, CUJ VC Nand Kumar today said they will take a call on the suspension tomorrow.

"We are waiting for the report (of a three-member committee). We expect to get the report by 8 am tomorrow and by afternoon a decision will be taken," Yadav told PTI.

"Yes," he said when asked whether her suspension would continue till then.