DU Power Tussle Intensifies; President Kovind Orders Suspension Of VC With Immediate Effect | Know Entire Issue

DU Power Tussle: The Ministry of Education (MoE) issued an official statement on Wednesday as per which, the President placed Tyagi under suspension to ensure that the inquiry is fair and that he is not able to tamper with material records or coerce the witnesses.

Image: Professor Yogesh K Tyagi (Delhi University Website)

President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday placed Delhi University (DU) places Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Tyagi under suspension with immediate effect over alleged administrative lapses. According to the reports, the President has also directed an inquiry against Tyagi over allegations of dereliction of duties and lack of Commitment and devotion. The Ministry of Education (MoE) issued an official statement on Wednesday as per which, the President placed Tyagi under suspension to ensure that the inquiry is fair and that he is not able to tamper with material records or coerce the witnesses. The notice further stated that despite a clear message from the Ministry to fill up the teaching posts in a time bound manner, the process to fill the vacancies has been delayed. The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi had also expressed its concern that faculty positions are not filled up on the regular basis and ad hoc arrangements have been continuing for last many years."

The move has come at the time when vice chancellor and the pro-vice chancellor are locked in a power tussle in the central university. The entire controversy erupted when Tyagi removed Pro- VC, PC Jha last week and appointed the director of the Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board of the university-- Geeta Bhatt in his place. It is pertinent to mention here that Pro-VC Joshi was given the charge of Vice Chancellor by the Government on July 17 till the time Tyagi, who went on Medical leave since July 2, resumed office. Meanwhile, Joshi on one hand notified the appointment of a new registrar -- Vikas Gupta, and Tyagi on the hand had approved and notified the appointment of P C Jha as acting registrar and director of the South Campus on the very same day. This led to a power tussle in the central university forcing the Education ministry to intervene saying, "appointments made by Tyagi were not 'valid' as he is on leave." Though Tyagi in his defence said that he is an 'acting Registrar' and all decisions taken by him are in accordance with university norms, the Education Ministry raised objections and directed the varsity to take strict action against him.