DU professor ‘advised’ to submit speech text for permission to travel to U.S.

Image used for representation | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

The professor at the University of Delhi (DU), Apostanand JHA, affirms that the University Administration has advised him to present the text of his conference proposed in an academic event in the United States for travel approval.

There was no reaction available in the DU administration.

Mr. JHA has described the “unprecedented” measure, saying that he undermines the autonomy and academic freedom of the university.

A member of the Faculty in the department of Hindi, Mr. JHA, was invited to speak in a seminar, entitled “The University under a global authoritarian turn”, as part of the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Chinese Indian Institute in the New School, New York, scheduled from April 23 to May 1.

Speaking with PTI, Mr. JH said: “I received an email from the registrar’s office asking me to send the text of my speech for the approach. In my opinion, this is very alarming. We are losing the autonomy of the du voluntarily. This is not precedents like something like this you havehapped.”

The professor said he had submitted his license request more than 35 days in advance through the University of Samarth online, but received an email from DU on April 2, which “could not grant permission” and needed.

In a letter addressed to Vice Chancellor du Yogesh Singh on April 15, Jhha wrote: “I do not understand what made the university give up the principle of institutional autonomy and invite the intervention of an Outide agency, in a matter of government, in a matter of government.”

In a written response to the Office of the Registrar, the professor said that there is no rule that requires a government authorization or license of the Faculty. “He said that he was not aware of any specific rule under which the permission of the Ministry is required. Of our conversation, I concluded that the university is proactively, without any law, rule or regulation required, sending my request for a license to the Ministry,” Mr. JHA wrote in his response.

“You suggested that you should speak at the Institute of the New School of the New India, which could be attached with the archive to facilitate the ministry to make a decision. Given?” Hey Ash.

The front of democratic teachers (DTF), in a letter, condemned the action of the “Arbitrary” University and “an attack on academic freedom.” The teachers’ agency described the demand for speech research as “an act of censorship” and accused the administration of damaging the autonomy of the institution.

He added Tying’s permit for this academic participation, damages the global reputation of the university and reflects a deeper erosion of institutional integrity.

Jha also to social networks to express their concern, publish in X: “Delhi Univ Adm Gallina for Gorda and address the text of my talk for the Indian China Institute event, New School (New York) and seek the Government Council to decide one at once.