Stephen College’s HoDs write to MS Frank

Heads of all the faculties mount pressure on Protem Administrator to dilute his stance on appointing only Christian candidates to the vacant ad hoc posts in the history department, reports Ritika Chopra. Special: Campus Calling

A new chapter was added to the ad hoc teacher appointment row in St. Stephen’s College on Friday. All heads of departments (HODs) mounted pressure on Protem Administrator MS Frank to dilute his stance on appointing only Christian candidates to the vacant ad hoc posts in the history department through a strongly worded letter.

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When Hindustan Times contacted MS Frank he said one of the teachers being considered for appointment had withdrawn application for the post and that an interview with another candidate would be held on Monday. He, however, refused to reveal if the teacher dropping out was the Christian or the non-Christian candidate.

This issue first came to light on Tuesday when the History department head Rohit Wanchoo registered his protest in a letter addressed to Frank. The shock and disappointment expressed by the HODs comes in wake of Wanchoo’s letter. Heads of the Mathematics, Chemistry, Economics, History, Physics, Sanskrit, English and Philosophy departments have signed the letter. (HT has a copy)

The letter stated: “We the undersigned heads of various departments are shocked to learn from our colleague Dr. Wanchoo, Head of History Department, that an outstanding applicant for an ad-hoc post of lecturer in History is being bypassed in favour of an applicant whose academic record is far inferior, simply because the latter is a Christian; this despite the fact that the second ad-hoc post has been given to a Christian candidate who has a good academic record….We urge you to abandon your unacademic and adamant stand, and immediately issue letters of appointment to the two candidates earlier agreed upon by you and the History HOD.”

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