Guest faculty, security officials enter into scuffle at Punjabi University

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 6

Teachers working on lecture basis at constituent colleges today entered into a scuffle with security personnel at Punjabi University when they attempted to ‘gherao’ the office of Dean (Academics) and Registrar in the afternoon today. Teachers have been protesting for the release of their stipend and fulfillment of their other demands since the past 11 days.

When protesters tried to enter the administrative block comprising offices of Dean (Academics) and Registrar they were stopped by university security officials. “A scuffle ensued as we attempted to enter the premises,” said protesters.

Later, protesters managed to enter the administrative block, but Dean (Academics) and Registrar were not available in their offices. Thereafter, work at the offices remained suspended for the day, said protesters.

Ashmani, one of the teachers from the University Constituent College, Moonak, said, “Office of the Dean (External centres), Dr Pushpinder Gill, is demanding proof of lectures taken and their duration from guest faculty teachers.”

“But, this was not passed in the Syndicate meeting as we were required to send only absent report,” he added.

Prof Gurdas Singh, one of the teachers, said, “University officials are not taking our matter seriously. We have been waiting for our payments for over a year. Some women teachers among us were pulled and pushed during the scuffle.”

“The university authorities had called us for meeting, but it remained inconclusive,” he added. Prof Pushpinder Gill said, “A committee has already been formed to check absenteeism among teachers. We are supposed to submit the proof for contingency bills raised like all other purchases of the university.”