DU: Ramanujan College makes Gita course compulsory, DTF seeks withdrawal

It is being alleged that the Ramanujan College is forcing the teaching and non-teaching staff to attend the course beyond their office hours.

As per reports, the principal of the Ramanujan College (Delhi University) has made a certificate course on Gita mandatory for teachers and non-teaching staff. The course on Gita started on December 23, 2023, and the staff and teachers are required to register and attend the certificate course. Now, the Teachers’ outfit Democratic Teachers’ Front has demanded the withdrawal of the mandatory registration and attendance for the certificate-cum-refresher course on Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

Teaching and non-teaching staff of the college are being forced into registering for the certificate course on Bhagavad Gita and called the move an “autocratic trait” on the college administration’s part, said statement of Left-leaning body, as reported by The Print.

“Ramanujan principal SP Agarwal has abused the powers vested in him to dictate to all teachers and non-teaching staff to compulsorily register for and attend a refresher/certificate course on Srimad Bhagavad Gita,” the DTF said in a statement.

“Illegally coercing teachers and non-teaching staff to remain engaged till 6.30 pm beyond official duties and the added burden of conducting the ongoing semester examinations of students is unacceptable,” it added.

In a mail to the teaching staff, the principal said that the course is being offered in line with the Indian Knowledge System Centre proposed to be set up at the college.

“This course is in line with the setting up of the Indian Knowledge System Centre at the college. In view of this it is our responsibility to first sensitize ourselves through such programmes,” the email read.

A Ramanujan official on condition of anonymity said that the administration will not take any coercive action against teachers who don’t attend the course. “The mandatory attendance is kept to ensure that teachers and other staff participate in the course.”

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