Order to deploy MDU professors at quarantine centres evokes criticism

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, May 21

The Rohtak Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate has ordered deployment of 20 professors and assistant professors of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) at different quarantine centres in the district, evoking a sharp reaction from the teaching fraternity.

The MDU Teachers Association (MDUTA) opposed the move and called an urgent meeting to decide on the future course of action.

“The university administration has surrendered before the district authorities. They should have adopted a firm stance, but they have meekly given in. A meeting of the MDUTA will be convened tomorrow to chalk out the action plan,” said Vikas Siwach, president of the association.

Earlier, teaching and non-teaching associations of MDU had opposed the administration’s decision to turn the university faculty house into a quarantine facility for medical staff.

The matter was resolved after Deputy Commissioner RS Verma had said no confirmed Covid patient would be lodged at the faculty house.

The fresh order from the district administration though has stirred up a hornet’s nest, with the MDU teachers taking a strong exception to the move of deploying faculty members at quarantine centres along with other government employees.

“The move to deploy university professors and assistant professors at quarantine centres cannot be justified. It is not an academic matter which requires their guidance,” said a university professor, requesting anonymity.