DU staff protest enters Day 26: Union gen secy demands action from varsity admn

The ongoing protest by Delhi University employees, spearheaded by the DU and College Karamchari Union (DUCKU), has entered its 26th day as workers continue to demand permanent placements and better representation in university governance.

DUCKU general secretary Ravinder Kumar Pandey said, “We have been sitting on protest since May 14 at Gates of the North Campus DU, yet the administration has shown no seriousness towards our demands.”

Pandey, who was elected general secretary of DUCKU on January 11, stated that a meeting was held on June 10 with the Vice-Chancellor and his team where “they verbally agreed to our demands, but no official follow-up has happened since then”.

He added, “We are not asking for luxuries, just basic rights for those who have given 10 or more years of their life to this university. They deserve to be made permanent.”

Key demands of the protesters include permanent employment for staff who have worked over a decade in the university system, representation of employees in the executive council and college governing bodies, WUS Health Centre membership for all college employees, creation of the post of library assistant in Delhi Government colleges, grade pay revisions and hikes for non-teaching staff.

“We presented all our demands to the administration clearly. Even if they can’t implement everything right away, the least they can do is respond formally to each of our points.” Pandey emphasised.

Protesting staff have expressed frustration over the lack of written commitments despite repeated engagements. “It’s not just about salaries and posts, it’s about dignity,” said a protester who has worked with the university for over 12 years.

DUCKU has also warned that if the administration continued to ignore their concerns, the protest could intensify in the coming days.

“We are not moving until we get justice. This is not just a protest — it’s a fight for our future,” Pandey said.