JU buckles to students’ pressure, removes dean

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 20

The administration of the University of Jammu on Friday succumbed to the demand of the students, who were on a hunger strike, and removed the Dean, Students Welfare, Prof Satnam Kour.

Prof Parmeshwari Sharma of the Hindi Department has been appointed the new Dean, Students Welfare.

A university order, however, claimed that Prof Satnam Kour had made a request to relieve her from the additional charge of the DSW as she was going to a long personal visit to the US. The order was issued after an inquiry committee, constituted by the university to look into the circumstances that led to violence on March 22, submitted its report to Vice Chancellor Prof RD Sharma here on Friday.

“Prof Kour was made to resign from the post after the university administration buckled under the pressure of students and the divisional administration. It was a black day in the university as an attempt was made to erode its autonomous character by the divisional administration on the plea of the law and order fears. Earlier, the university administration had removed the Director, Physical Education, in February this year following student protests. This is mockery of the institution. How can students, who are guilty of violence, dictate terms to the system?” asked a university teacher.

Sources said the inquiry committee had found a number of students guilty of violent protests. The sources said the action against them would be decided by the disciplinary committee.

Meanwhile, the Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) has expressed concern over the decision of the university administration.

“It is clear the university administration has not been trustworthy in its dealings with JUTA. It has not shared with JUTA vital information regarding Prof Satnam Kour’s resignation and the fact that orders had been issued relieving her of her post. Therefore, JUTA has asked the new DSW designate not to accept his or her post before consulting it,” said Prof KS Charak, JUTA president.

Prof Charak said the university appeared to be dragging its feet on the issues which had the potential to vitiate the academic atmosphere on the campus.