A day after the IIT-Kharagpur administration It was announced that “no further action” would be taken against 80 professors Those who have either responded to the show-cause notice or tendered an apology “reserve their legal rights in the matter”, the IIT-
The Kharagpur Teachers’ Association (IITTA) had called an “extraordinary general body meeting” on December 11 to discuss “response” to the institute.
The controversy started in September when IITTA sent a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleging nepotism and irregularities at IIT-Kharagpur. Following this, the IIT-Kharagpur authorities issued show-cause notices to four officials of IITTA, removing three heads of departments and issuing show-cause letters to all 85 faculty members.
In the meeting of the Executive Committee of IITTA held on Sunday evening, it was decided to call the ‘Extraordinary General Body Meeting’ (EGBM) which will be held both physically and online as many faculty members are on leave.
“The EGBM will discuss the administration’s response to the 85 faculty who were given show-cause notices. The dismissal of three HODs (Heads of Departments). It will also discuss dealing with legal issues arising from the officials. Besides, the unity signature campaign will also be discussed,” said an IITTA official.
On Saturday, the IIT-Kharagpur administration said in a statement: “Of the 85 professors, 18 have tendered an apology and their cases have been waived; 62 professors have responded to the show-cause notice dated December 6, 2024. The competent authority has informed them that no ‘further action’ will be taken against them.” informed.
“Based on your reply, the competent authority will consider the same without taking any action, reserving legal rights in the matter,” it added.
The institute has advised the faculty members to “refrain from any activity that violates the institute’s statutes and/or service rules or any other similar actions that may lead to the above violation in future.” For the last two days, the professors staged a silent protest on the campus.
In response to the action taken by IIT Kharagpur, Vishwa Bharati University Faculty Union (VBUFA) and Jadavpur University Teachers Union (JUTA) expressed solidarity with the affected professors, criticizing the institute’s stance as “dictatorial” towards those who voiced their concerns. .