MADURAI: The All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organizations (AIFUCTO) has urged the higher education authorities and private universities in India to respect academic freedom and democratic governance in all campuses because the current situation in South Asian University in New Delhi raises so many questions.”The South Asian University campus is in turmoil, affecting the academic environment. What is happening in that university raises serious question marks on governance structure. Four faculty members of that university were placed under suspension through orders issued on 16th June 2023. This undemocratic action is an indicator of functioning of a private university and the proposal of inviting foreign universities into India, The All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO) is shocked,” Prof.Arun Kumar, AIFUCTO general secretary, has said in an important press statement dated June 29th 2023.
ACADEMIC FREEDOM?
Urging the private universities’ managements to respect democratic governance and academic freedom, the AIFUCTO has asked the South Asian University for reinstatement of faculty members and for framing of rules to protect academic freedom in the campus.
“AIFUCTO requests the SAU- South Asian University- to respond to the democratic voices of entire India, failing which we will be constrained to go for All India Protest. We also demand the urgent intervention of SAARC and the Union Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India to give directions to this university for reinstating the faculty,” Prof.Arun Kumar, AIFUCTO general secretary, has said in the press statement.
“On June 16th 2023, orders were issued placing the four faculty members of South Asian University in Delhi under suspension. There was a humiliating treatment for them and the fact-finding committee report was motivated and there is a hidden agenda to stifle democratic voices that are asking for rules and regulations, and to protect the academic interests of the university. This undemocratic action is an indicator of the functioning of private university and proposal of inviting foreign universities into India. AIFUCTO demands to reinstate the four faculty members, we seek the SAARC intervention,” Prof.Arun Kumar, AIFUCTO general secretary, has said in the press release issued on 29th June 2023.
