Executive Council decides English HoD may resume duty whenever she wants, ETEducation
Kolkata: The Jadavpur University executive council (EC), the highest decision-making body at the university, on Tuesday decided that Saswati Halder, head of the English department, might “resume her duties whenever she desired or her leave expired” and expressed “solidarity” with the professor for “performing her duties”.
JU authorities reportedly sent Halder on leave till Jan-end after the committee, probing the Hijab controversy at the university, suggested she be released from her duties till the inquiry was completed. The panel is likely to submit the report on Jan 29.
The dispute started with Halder asking two UG 3 girls to remove their hijabs during an exam on Dec 22 on suspicion of cheating. Two days later, two students walked up to the convocation stage, holding posters, saying, “No space for Islamophobia in JU“.
JU VC Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said, “Halder has willingly taken a leave from Jan 7 to Jan 31. If she wants to withdraw her leave after a certain time and join her duties, she can always do it. EC members have criticised the conduct of fact-finding committee chairperson for her statement to the media when the probe is underway.”
An EC member said, “This issue was not on the agenda but after ABUTA, JU Local chapter, submitted a memorandum to the EC, demanding Halder’s reinstatement, the matter was tabled at EC. EC members expressed solidarity with Halder. They decided that the exam department must form an SOP for exam conduct and standards.”
Debabrata Bera, convenor, ABUTA, JU Local Chapter said, “The way the English HOD was sent on leave sent out a negative message to the teaching fraternity.”
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