DU college principal resigns, says not comfortable with V-C

In a letter written to the vice-chancellor on April 10, Khanna reiterated his inability to continue as officiating principal on account of ‘prevailing circumstances’ at the university.

[related-post]

Elaborating on the reasons for his resignation, Khanna told Newsline, “One of the main reasons for my resignation was the university’s attitude, especially when it came to teacher appointments. I had sent an advertisement on March 19 to the office concerned to be published, but the university has not published it till date. On April 10, therefore, I wrote to the V-C asking him to accept my resignation. I told him that he was creating undue hurdles and that I was not comfortable working with him.”

Khanna also alleged that the university was forcibly asking principals to submit an affidavit, stating that the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) norms for teaching BTech courses were in place.

“There is absolutely no co-ordination between university and colleges. We have been asked to submit an affidavit stating that all AICTE norms are in place, when the truth is far from it. I have five BTech courses in my college. The university is just playing with the career of students this way,” Khanna said.

DU, on the other hand, claimed the principal was not displaying vacancies for teachers. “After repeated reminders, he has still refused to display teachers’ vacancies, and is sitting on appointments. Besides, he was eying the position of permanent principal – something he doesn’t qualify for,” Malay Neerav, DU’s media coordinator and joint dean of student welfare, said.

Khanna has challenged the university’s claims on both accounts and asked it to produce documents to prove he was sitting on appointments.

“If I was wrong, why did the university extend my term? As far as the claim of not being eligible for position of principal is concerned, I have a score of 434 – something that very well qualifies me to become principal,” Khanna said.

“We are seeing a death of democracy in this university. Principals are expected to work as puppets. It is impossible to work under these circumstances,” he said.