'Sectarian And Insensitive': DU Teachers Slam University's Decision To Work On Eid-Al-Adha

DU has declared June 29 a working day in order to "complete all arrangements" before the following day's event, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Delhi University.

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A group of Delhi University teachers has criticised the varasity's decision to keep June 29 open despite the Eid-al-Adha holiday, calling the action "sectarian and insensitive." However, DU has declared June 29 a working day in order to "complete all arrangements" before the following day's event, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The varsity also stated in a statement that staff who choose to celebrate the holiday on June 29 are excused from work, news agency PTI reported.

“The Valedictory Function of Centenary Celebrations is scheduled on Friday, 30 June 2023. With a view to completing all arrangements prior to the function, the University will be observed Thursday, 29 June 2023 as a working day for all the employees of the University. The employees who wish to celebrate the festival on 29th June 2023 are exempted from attending the office,” the notification was quoted by PTI in its report. 

A section of teachers called out the varsity administration for a “sectarian mindset, lack of sensitivity and deliberate attempt to isolate one community”. They have asked that the university withdraw the notice. The Democratic Federation of Teachers stated in a statement that June 29 is a necessary vacation for commemorating Eid-al-Adha and has been announced in the Gazette of India.

 “Members of the Muslim community celebrate Eid-al-Adha. Members of other communities join these celebrations. It (the notification) is a step that demands reproach and condemnation for its sectarian mindset, lack of sensitivity and deliberate attempt to isolate one community,” the statement said. 

According to the teachers' organisation, the university might have identified volunteers for the incomplete work for the Valedictory celebration.

“The list of Gazetted Holidays has been known to the University much before the year 2023. No emergent situation or calamity has struck. It is unlikely that the University Administration would have taken a similar step in case the concerned day had been Holi or Diwali. That would have figured in its mind while drawing any schedule,” the teachers alleged.

“We demand that the University Administration retracts this undesirable notification,” they added.