Chargesheets, Denied Pension, Leaves: JNU’s Punitive Measures Against Dissenting Faculty
Apoorvanand | 26 February 2025 | The Wire
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has agreed to grant a sabbatical to linguist Professor Ayesha Kidwai. Why is this news? Because it took the intervention of the Delhi high court to compel JNU authorities to approve her leave. Earlier, the university administration had refused her request citing a decision by its executive council that mandates a seven-year gap between sabbaticals. However, according to JNU’s own ordinances and University Grants Commission (UGC) rules, the required interval is five years, not seven. Since Kidwai had last taken a sabbatical five years ago, she was fully entitled to this leave. Yet, the administration denied her request, defending its stance with an arbitrary executive council decision.
The Delhi high court questioned JNU on whether it could disregard its own ordinances and UGC rules based on an executive council decision. Unable to justify its actions, JNU conceded and granted Kidwai her sabbatical. This episode highlights a glaring lack of communication and dialogue between the university administration and its faculty, forcing teachers to seek judicial intervention for basic rights. The court’s rebuke to the university authorities underscores the need for adherence to established rules…