BGSBU’s teachers announce ‘fast unto death’ strike, demand revocation of AP’s suspension order

Rajouri, Mar 03: The issue of suspension of an Assistant Professor rank employee of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University seems snowballing into an issue with university's teaching faculty members have gone on hunger strike announcing it as 'fast unto death', demanding revocation of suspension order.

The university administration however said that the action has been taken as per law following all the codal formalities and the members of teaching faculty are resorting to an 'illegal' protest just to pressurise the varsity administration.

Pertinent to mention here that the administration of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) Rajouri issued an order in which Dr Parvez Abdullah, a faculty member of Management Studies in university, was placed under suspension and attached to the Nursing College of University in Kishtwar while an inquiry was also ordered into the issue that is to be conducted by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rajouri, Rajeev Khajuria.

Dr Parvez was also elected as the President of university's teaching association in last elections conducted three years ago while the tenure of the elected body has already expired but new elections have not been conducted yet.

In a statement, the faculty members of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), under the banner of the BGSBU Teachers Association (BGSBUTA), said to have escalated their protest by declaring a "fast unto death" following the suspension of Dr Parvez Abdullah, the President of BGSBUTA.

"Dr Abdullah, a respected academician and a vocal advocate for faculty rights, was suspended under circumstances that the faculty strongly condemn as arbitrary and unjust." the statement reads.

In response, the BGSBUTA initially launched a pen-down strike, bringing academic and administrative activities to a halt. However, with no constructive response from the university administration, the association has now moved to indefinite hunger strike until the suspension order is revoked, the statement reads.

Dr Abdullah has gone for fast unto death and has joined by other faculty members of the University and the protesting faculty members assert that the suspension of Dr. Abdullah is not just an attack on an individual but a direct assault on academic freedom, faculty rights, and democratic values within the university.

They are demanding immediate intervention from higher authorities, including the Chancellor and the government, to ensure justice prevails.

However, administration of university addressed a press conference terming the agitation as illegal and pressure tactics.

Sharing official statement, VC BGSB University, Prof. Jawaid Iqbal said that the university administration on the directions of Chancellor office has taken action against an employee of institution and this is action against an individual and not against entire faculty as projected.

"All necessary procedures were followed as per law and action has been taken only as per procedure," said VC adding that all the codal formalities have been followed properly.

"This is just an attempt to pressurize the university administration." VC said in response to a question regarding protest by faculty members.

He also claimed that class works are not suspended, as claimed, and 99% classes in the university remained functional on Monday.