The controversy over amendments to the 102-year-old constitution of St.
The controversy over amendments to the 102-year-old constitution of St. Stephen’s College has escalated further with Delhi University teachers seeking intervention of the vice-chancellor, alleging the institution is making a “mockery” of DU statute and demanding that the varsity take action.
Members of the executive council, the university’s decision-making body, have written to acting vice-chancellor Sudhish Pachauri, saying if the university does not object to the move by St. Stephen’s, other colleges will also follow in the footsteps.
“As per DU statute, a constituent college has to follow the rules and regulations of the university which may be managed by a trust and, in case of a major deviation, a suitable action can be initiated against the college. If today this college is allowed to effect such changes, tomorrow other constituent colleges of the university maintained by different trusts may follow the same, making a mockery of the DU system which should not be allowed,” the letter said.
Seeking a stay on the decision, the teachers added, “We expect a timely intervention in this regard by the university asking the college to stay the passing of proposed changes unless DU examines the proposal and satisfies itself that proposed changes are not against the varsity calendar.”
Stephen’s had approved certain amendments in the college’s constitution at a meeting of the governing body last week despite ei-ght out of 18 members abs-taining. The university authorities, however, mai-ntained that though the step can lead to Stephen’s derecognition by DU and subsequent withdrawal of funding by the University Grants Commission, they will take note of the issue only after a communication has been received from the college about what the amendments are.
“The college can lose its affiliation from DU and he-nce the funding from UGC if the amendments are not in accordance with DU rules. However, we need to know first what the ame-ndments are,” the officials said. The approved draft of the amendments will be taken up for consideration at another governing body meeting scheduled three months later before being notified as the amended constitution.
