The notice describes Prof. Ratan Lal’s conduct as detrimental to the college’s internal discipline and inappropriate for a teacher.
It further states that he issued statements to external agencies, including the media, and persisted in repeating allegations despite the university’s clarification that admissions were based on university-issued lists and any errors stemmed from algorithmic glitches at the university level. He gave statements to the media and raised the issue with senior university and college officials.
The Governing Body asserts that this has damaged the college’s institutional image and reputation. It claims a violation of Delhi University’s service rules and the code of professional ethics, which expect teachers to cooperate, behave respectfully, and refrain from making baseless allegations. His conduct has been termed detrimental to the college’s internal discipline and inappropriate for a teacher.
The notice directs Dr. Ratan Lal to submit a written reply within seven working days explaining why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for gross misconduct, indiscipline, and insubordination. Failure to respond on time will be construed as an admission of the charges, and action will be taken in accordance with the rules. The notice bears the signature of T.C.A. Rangachari.
On Wednesday, Prof. Ratan Lal posted the notice on his social media handle, writing: “Today, someone from the Hindu College staff delivered this to my personal staff at home. Read carefully—the letter is dated September 8, yet it was delivered today. Another example of the privatization of Hindu College. Now, this college doesn’t need a Principal; the Chairman will run it. Under Delhi University statutes, can a Chairman issue a show-cause notice? And that too to the Staff Association President, addressing them by their personal name?” Reacting to this notice, Dr. Anil Jaihind, head of the Congress OBC Cell, wrote, “Those with a ‘Manuvadi’ mindset cannot tolerate a Dalit with a spine. There is no place for such ‘Manuvadis’ in independent India. Action must be taken.”
The matter pertains to a no-confidence motion moved by the college staff association against Principal Anju Srivastava, raising the issue of alleged irregularities in admissions under the sports and ECA quotas. According to the facts stated in the notice, this action is based on those very statements.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News