New Delhi — The Jawaharlal Nehru University
Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) has strongly opposed a newly proposed 5%
supernumerary quota for the wards of university employees, labeling the
move a “regressive turn” that threatens the institution’s long-standing
commitment to social justice and equitable admissions.
In a
statement issued following a General Body Meeting (GBM) on April 21, the
association clarified that the faculty had never requested such a
provision. The teachers argued that extending university seats to the
children of JNU staff—including relatively privileged faculty
members—would inevitably dilute opportunities meant for disadvantaged
and marginalized communities.
Rather than implementing new,
privilege-based measures, JNUTA urged the administration to reinforce
the university’s established “deprivation points” framework,
specifically calling for its restoration in PhD admissions. The
association noted that the current system—which sets aside a limited
number of undergraduate and postgraduate seats specifically for the
wards of lower-tier non-teaching staff—already serves a critical role in
improving educational access for vulnerable sections without
compromising merit.
Administrative Irregularities and Governance Concerns
Beyond
the debate over admission policies, the JNUTA raised severe concerns
regarding the university’s broader governance and hiring practices. The
teachers’ body criticized the administration for making unilateral
decisions, bypassing elected teacher representatives, and relying on
committees with questionable oversight.
The association also
highlighted ongoing disputes over recruitment, pointing to a troubling
trend of candidates being declared “Not Found Suitable” during selection
processes, alongside unexplained delays and “pick and choose” patterns
in faculty promotions.
Controversy Surrounding the Vice-Chancellor
The
JNUTA statement also took direct aim at Vice-Chancellor Santishree
Dhulipudi Pandit. The association referenced findings from a
departmental inquiry panel that allegedly held the VC guilty of
“misconduct and moral turpitude.”
Furthermore, the teachers’ union
alleged specific, alarming irregularities within JNU’s School of
Engineering. According to the JNUTA, the Vice-Chancellor’s daughter has
been permitted to participate in academic activities—such as designing
coursework and guiding students—without undergoing any formal
recruitment process or evaluation. The association stated that this
represents a severe breach of institutional norms and fairness.
Vowing
to protect the academic integrity of the university, the JNUTA
announced that it plans to escalate these administrative, structural,
and policy-related grievances to higher authorities, including the
Ministry of Education.