May 5, 2011: Letter to VC on Incident at Administrative Block, Registrar Office

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION, ALIGARH

S. Mustafa Zaidi Hony. Secretary

Teaching Staff Club A.M.U., Aligarh-202002 0571-2720011 (R); 09411802364 (M) Email: secretary_amuta@rediffmail.com

May 5, 2011

The Vice-Chancellor

Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh

Sir,

            When a delegation of AMU Teachers’ Association along with the resolution passed at today’s General Body meeting, went to the Administrative Block (after informing your office) at about 3:00 P.M., we found that the gate was locked from within and a big contingent of the Proctorial staff along with Assistant Proctors was present. On enquiry the staff told us the gate was ordered shut by the Proctor. When we expressed surprise at the fact that the gate of any University building could be shut in the face of teachers and demanded that it be opened, we were astonished to see that the Proctor and Deputy Proctors were directing operations. On seeing our reaction the gate was opened and our suspicion of deliberate action was confirmed when a few of our members, who were already inside said, that when they reached a little before us the gate was open. We protest strongly against this deliberate insult and humiliation of teachers by your administration and expect that you would remove the person who embarrassed you by his extremely uncouth behaviour.

            We had tried to point out to you then that the Administrative Block is meant to carryout and implement the policies and decisions formulated and taken by the University Authorities, i.e., the

University Court

, Executive Council, Academic Council and Faculties which are composed overwhelmingly of the teachers of the University.  The officers and functionaries inside that block cannot sit in judgment over us and cannot enjoy any privilege and facility denied to us. In such a situation the ordering shut of the gate is nothing but administrative arrogance. Some of the members of our delegation were former Deans, Chairmen, Proctors and Provosts. Why try to insult them? You had heard and seen the extreme pain and anguish this totally unnecessary behaviour caused.

            I would also like to emphasize what I told you about our meeting with the District Administration this morning where they told us that if their advice is followed by the University then we should go to the Vice-Chancellor and tell him to reopen the University immediately and we shall cooperate with him. We also told you that we are willing to fully cooperate with your efforts to reopen the University provided it is opened immediately and the students are allowed back in.

            With regards,

Sincerely yours,

(S. Mustafa Zaidi)

Enclosure:  AMUTA General Body meeting resolution of 5.5.2011