Delhi University Teachers' Association calls strike over online education faculty termination

The Delhi University Teachers' Association announced a one-day strike on Monday, protesting the termination of a faculty member from the university's Centre for Distance and Online Learning (CDOL). The union called the action in response to what it termed an arbitrary decision by the administration.

The affected professor was dismissed by the CDOL citing performance concerns. However, DUTA contested this reasoning, arguing that the termination process lacked adequate procedural safeguards and proper consultation with the academic community.

This development marks an escalation in tensions between the university administration and its teaching staff. DUTA has consistently raised concerns about working conditions and job security within distance and online education departments, which have expanded significantly across Indian universities in recent years.

The union called upon the university to reconsider the termination and engage in dialogue with faculty representatives. The strike aims to draw attention to what DUTA characterizes as inadequate protections for academics employed in distance education roles compared to their counterparts in regular undergraduate and postgraduate programs.