Panel to select next Delhi University Vice-Chancellor not on agenda of meeting, claim teachers

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Kasturirangan – who was earlier part of the selection panel – was dropped recently when his “conflict of interest” came to the fore because of him being an honourary professor of the university.

While Singh had claimed his appointment was an “oversight”, the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) — through the president — has asked DU to convene an EC meeting to select Kasturirangan’s replacement before October 28. This is when Singh’s term ends.

“When Professor Pental’s successor had to be selected, the members of the search committee… again included the name of Dr Kasturirangan. He was then the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister. In the meeting, I had red-flagged the issue that Dr Kasturirangan held a position under government, and that his presence on the panel would constitute a conflict of interest,” wrote Chowdhury.

“But… my views were summarily brushed aside. Dr Kasturirangan’s name was approved for the search committee. At this point of time, looking at the recent developments, I am constrained to reflect on how legal that particular search committee was, and consequently, how legal the appointment made on the basis of the recommendation of the committee was?” he added.

Chowdhury has asked the VC to send the EC members a list of 10 potential names from which the selection can be made.

EC elected member Abha Dev Habib and court member Ajay Kumar have also written to Singh, expressing their “dismay”. “It is very strange that the constitution of the search committee is not on the agenda of an emergent meeting. None of the matters listed in the agenda warrant an emergent meeting and could have easily been handled in a regular meeting. This should have been a one-point agenda only,” said Habib.

DU media spokesperson Malay Neerav, however, said there was “no question of the agenda not being placed”. “The emergent meeting is being called precisely because of the MHRD letter… There is no question of the agenda not being placed. However, as it is a non-regular item, it has not be included in the list,” he said. After revelations by Chowdhury, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has asked for “stringent actions” to be taken against Singh.