Chaos marked the first day of studies after Dussehra holidays at Lucknow University (LU) with teaching work remaining largely disrupted. A number of teachers did not turn up following tug of war between LU Teachers’ Association (LUTA) and the varsity administration. Students’ turnout also remained thin.
Wherever teachers (said to be “close” to the V-C) tried to take classes, LUTA disturbed them.
The piquant situation arose after LUTA refused to resume work from October 4, protesting against LU’s curtailing Dussehra holidays which usually run till October 11. They alleged that Dusherra holidays were approved by the Executive Council and V-C had no right to override it.
LUTA claimed teaching was paralysed and thanked the fraternity for their support. LU officials, however, rubbished LUTA’s claim and held teachers’ body responsible for disturbing the classes the way student leaders do.
“A small group of LUTA office-bearers went around the campus asking teachers to boycott ongoing classes. The V-C deplored such trade-union-like behaviour of LUTA members,” said an LU official.
In an official communiqué, LU stated such acts of the teachers would not deter LU administration from holding regular classes. The V-C said those who wanted a holidays may go ahead, but must not stop others from taking classes since such behaviour will go against the interest of the students for whom we all exist.
{{/usCountry}}In an official communiqué, LU stated such acts of the teachers would not deter LU administration from holding regular classes. The V-C said those who wanted a holidays may go ahead, but must not stop others from taking classes since such behaviour will go against the interest of the students for whom we all exist.
{{/usCountry}}Till there was disruption, classes were held in Law, Education, Management, IMS, Women Studies, Public Administration, Geology, Computer Science, Hindi and some other departments. “Classes will be held regularly and there will be no negotiation in throup of LUTA office-bearers went around the campus asking teachers to boycott ongoing classes. The V-C deplored such trade-union-like behaviour of LUTA members,” said an LU official.
In an official communiqué, LU stated such acts of the teachers would not deter LU administration from holding regular classes. The V-C said those who wanted a holidays may go ahead, but must not stop others from taking classes since such behaviour will go against the interest of the students for whom we all exist.
Till there was disruption, classes were held in Law, Education, Management, IMS, Women Studies, Public Administration, Geology, Computer Science, Hindi and some other departments. “Classes will be held regularly and there will be no negotiation in this regard,” said the LU official.
When contacted, LUTA chief DP Tewari said that for the last few days they had been trying hard to seek appointment with the V-C. “But so far he has not bothered to give us time. Moreover, there has been no communiqué on curtailing holidays. Also, if LU had decided to compensate this with earned leave, why can't they let Dusherra holidays go on,” he said.
LUTA further alleged that those who took classes were teachers holding some office or the other and were close to the V-C. LUTA alleged there were teachers who would never take classes in the normal course but went ahead on Wednesday just to flatter the V-C. On the other hand, student leaders asked LU to direct closure of campus since students had left the hostels.