New Delhi:
Delhi University (du) Professor Apoorvanand JHA claims that the university administration has advised him to submit the text of his proposed reading during an academic event in the United States for approval of the trip.
There was no response available at the du administration.
Mr. Jha has called the move “unprecedented” and says it undermines the autonomy and academic freedom of the university.
A member of the faculty in the Hindi department, Mr. JHA is invited to speak to a seminar entitled “The University under a global authoritarian turn”, as part of the 20th anniversary of the India China Institute at the New School, New York, planned from April 23 to May 1.
In conversation with PTI, Mr. Jha said: “I received an e -mail from the registrar's office asking to submit the text of my speech for approval. In my opinion this is very alarming. We willingly lose the autonomy of the DU. This is unprecedented because something like this has never happened before.” The professor said that he had submitted his leave application more than 35 days in advance via the online Samarth Portal of the university, but received an e -mail from the du on 2 April, which stated that the university was “unable to grant permission” and ask the Ministry of Education of the Union.
In a letter addressed to Du Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh on April 15, Mr. JHA wrote: “I do not understand what the university has let go of the principle of institutional autonomy and the invitation of an external agency, in this case the government of the Union, in a matter of leave.” In a written response to the clerk's office, the professor noted that there is no rule that requires a government statement for faculty travel or departure. “You said that you were not aware of a specific rule under which the ministry's permission is required. From our conversation I concluded that the university is proactive, without any required law, rule or regulations that sent my leave application to the ministry,” Mr. Jha wrote in his answer.
“You have kindly suggested that I should share my speech to be given to the India China Institute of the New School, which can be attached to the file to make it easy for the ministry to make a decision. Does this mean that the content of my speech would now be examined for permission for participation in an academic event?” he asked.
In a letter, the front (DTF) of the Democratic teachers condemned the action of the university as “random” and “an attack on academic freedom”. The body of the teachers described the question of speech examination as “an act of censorship” and accused the administration of the damage of the autonomy of the institution.
It added that refusing permission for such academic commitments damages the worldwide reputation of the university and reflects a deeper erosion of institutional integrity.
Mr JHA also went to social media to express his concern, posts on X: “Delhi Univ ADM wants to approve the text of my speech for the India China Institute, New School (New York) event and ask the government's advice to give me to leave. How should a teacher respond to a question like this?”
Delhi UNV ADM wants to approve and approve the text of my speech for the India China Institute, New School (New York) event and ask the government's advice to decide on the granting of me. How should a teacher respond to such a question? https://t.co/HDP9SXSJRF
– Apoorvanand अपूर्वानंद (@apoorvanand__) April 17, 2025
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