After non-teaching staff, Murthal tech varsity research scholars up in arms

Sonepat, July 11

After the non-teaching employees of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University for Science and Technology (DCRUST), Murthal, went on a strike two days ago, research scholars, too, started an indefinite strike today, alleging harassment by the university administration. Now, members of the teachers’ union are planning to go on strike in support of their demands, for which they called a meeting.

Research scholars staged a sit-in at the administrative block of the university today. They were demanding amendment to the clause which mandates publishing of at least two research papers in Web of Science (WoS)-listed journals before the final submission of their work. They said many central as well as state universities across the country ask for publication in the UGC-care listed or peer-reviewed journals. The scholars have also written a letter to the UGC about it.

“Rather than fulfilling the genuine demand of research scholars, the university administration is suppressing their voice,” alleged a research scholar. The protesting scholars said the chief warden of the boys’ hostel had issued a decree that those research scholars who had completed four years would not be given rooms. “There is no such rule in the university. As per the PhD ordinance of the university, any research scholar can pursue regular research for six years,” said a protesting scholar.

The protesters also raised questions over the appointment of Chief Warden Ajay Kumar Singh, alleging it was a case of nepotism as he was the Vice-Chancellor’s brother-in-law. The protesting scholars further alleged that they were harassed by the university security guards at night, who made calls to their families to threaten them.

Meanwhile, members of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University Teachers’ Association (DCRUTA) held an executive meeting due to the atmosphere of resentment in the university and decided to hold a general body meeting on July 16.

Surender Dahiya, president, DCRUTA, said the main agenda of the meeting would be to discuss the administrative behaviour and working towards different stakeholders of the university and to approve the annual report of the association for the financial year 2023-24.

Dahiya said the atmosphere in the university had been vitiated. He said the teachers had also been resentful over the attitude of the university administration for a long time.