By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 10 Jun: The issue of the proposed shifting of departments from Kanya Gurukul Dehradun once again figured prominently during the general meeting of the Gurukul Kangri University Teachers’ Association held here today. During the meeting, the teachers strongly opposed any move to relocate departments or academic activities from the Dehradun campus to Haridwar. The meeting also deliberated extensively on a range of academic, administrative, financial and employee-related matters concerning the university and adopted several important resolutions in the larger interest of the institution.
The association meeting began as usual with the Vedic chanting and concluded with a Shanti Paath. Members held detailed and serious discussions on various issues related to the academic, administrative and institutional functioning of the university. Keeping in view the university’s glorious traditions, the Vedic values and long-term institutional development, several proposals were unanimously adopted.
A significant portion of the deliberations focused on the future of the Kanya Gurukul Dehradun campus. The Teachers’ Association emphasised that constructive measures should be undertaken for the development and strengthening of the campus. It further stressed that the academic interests, facilities and future prospects of students studying there must remain the highest priority. The meeting was attended by women faculty members from both Kanya Gurukul Dehradun and Kanya Gurukul Haridwar, along with teachers from the university’s main campus. All those present expressed their opposition to any proposal to shift departments or certain courses from the Dehradun campus to Haridwar. It was emphasised that the faculty members from Dehradun had also strongly opposed such a move during a meeting chaired by the Vice-Chancellor on 9 June.
The association also highlighted what it described as a contradiction between the appointment of the present Vice-Chancellor under the provisions of the University Act, 2023, and certain actions being undertaken by the administration which, according to the association, appear to be inconsistent with the provisions of the University Act, 2019. The Teachers’ Association expressed strong opposition to this situation and called for strict adherence to statutory provisions.
During the meeting, members demanded greater transparency in the functioning and decision-making processes of the Board of Management (BoM). The association called for the minutes of Board meetings to be made public in accordance with established rules and sought wider consultation with teachers, employees and other stakeholders before major decisions are taken. It also maintained that any action relating to duly conducted meetings of the Board of Management and their decisions should be undertaken strictly in accordance with statutory provisions and established procedures.
The association further stressed upon the need to ensure equality, fairness and transparency in matters relating to promotions, service conditions and other administrative issues within the university. It demanded that pending promotion orders and letters of all eligible teachers and employees be issued without delay. Members also insisted that the principles of natural justice and all applicable statutory rules must be followed in every service-related matter.
The meeting also stressed on the necessity of effectively implementing departments, academic programmes and expansion plans approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Members observed that academic expansion and development opportunities approved in 2019 and 2023 should be fully utilised to further strengthen the university’s academic and research activities.
Participants also expressed the need for clear and transparent information regarding certain service-related matters, retirement procedures and administrative decisions. The association stated that the rules, procedures and rationale behind such decisions should be clearly communicated to the university community in order to promote transparency and strengthen institutional trust.
The Teachers’ Association further asserted that the institutional autonomy, statutory framework and administrative structure of the university must be respected. It emphasised that all the stakeholders should be given adequate participation in matters of significant importance to the university.
Members present at the meeting further reaffirmed their commitment to the rich legacy of Gurukul Kangri University, its Vedic educational philosophy and its historic contribution to nation-building. They expressed confidence that the university could be made stronger and more progressive through dialogue, transparency, cooperation and strict adherence to statutory procedures.
At the end, it was unanimously resolved that the proposals and recommendations adopted by the Teachers’ Association would be forwarded to the university administration, the Board of Management and other concerned authorities for consideration and necessary action.
