Delhi University has constituted a six-member committee to frame policies pertaining to the use of social media platforms by the employees of the University, a development that has triggered concern among a section of teachers who termed the move a step towards curbing academic freedoms on the DU campus. An official notification, dated December 8, stated: “The competent authority of the university has constituted a committee.pertaining to the use of social media platforms in respect of the employees of the University.” Speaking to The Indian Express, Sanjeev Singh, Director of Delhi University Computer Centre, who is also the Chairperson of this committee, stated, “Nowadays, social media plays a huge role in communication between a student and a teacher. Hence, there was an idea to frame a policy in order to ensure the effective use of social media for the University members.” Another official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “During an inquiry held over an issue earlier, the idea to frame policies for social media usage by the university employees was floated. We are all government employees, hence we, as a university, want to ensure a responsible way of social media usage by all in the DU community.” Besides Singh, other members of the committee are Ajay Jaiswal, Principal of School of Open Learning; Kshitij Kumar Singh from Campus Law Centre; Manish Manocha, an Advocate; Anup Lather, the Press Relations Officer of DU; and Manisha from the Department of History. Speaking to The Indian Express, Maya John, an elected Academic Council member and an Assistant Professor at Jesus and Mary College, said, “It seems like a troubling development in the direction of curbing DU employees' use of social media platforms, and hence, the democratic right and freedom of expression. (I am) Saying this on the basis of no elected teacher (being made a) representative on the Committee.” Abha Dev Habib, an Associate Professor at Miranda House, said, “To introduce policies for a public institution like DU is beyond my understanding. This is in a way curbing the academic freedom of the university. If the university is really doing alright then it should not worry about its image being affected by what people are saying on social media…” Said Singh, the panel chairperson: “There is nothing in place yet. The committee is yet to meet next week to discuss how to go about the procedure.”
