10 months ago
Delhi University Cancels Sociology Talk Over Lack of Approval
Delhi University canceled a talk that was supposed to happen on Friday.
The talk was part of a special series where professors and students discuss research.
The university said the talk was canceled because the sociology department didn't ask for permission beforehand.
The head of the university explained that many events need approval and that this is a general rule.
However, some teachers are upset.
They say this talk series is very old and has always been independent.
They believe the cancellation is unfair and hurts their freedom to discuss important topics like land and people's rights.
One professor even resigned from organizing the series because she felt she could not guarantee its independence anymore.
Delhi University (DU) cancelled a talk in its Sociology Research Colloquium series, citing a lack of administrative approval.
The university's Vice Chancellor stated that prior permission was not obtained by the department for the event.
The cancelled talk was titled ‘Land, Property, and Democratic Rights’ and was to be delivered by Namita Wahi.
Faculty members criticized the cancellation, calling it an infringement on academic freedom and an arbitrary decision, with one convenor resigning in protest.
The Sociology Research Colloquium has been running for over 60 years and is considered a long-standing tradition for academic discussion at DU.
- Who
- Delhi University administration, Department of Sociology, speaker Namita Wahi, sociologist Nandini Sundar, DU AC member Maya John
- What
- Cancellation of a scheduled talk in the Sociology Research Colloquium series
- Where
- Delhi University, specifically the M N Srinivas Seminar Room at the Delhi School of Economics
- When
- Prior to Friday's scheduled talk
- Why
- Cited by DU as lack of administrative approval and prior permission from the department; faculty allege it's an infringement on academic freedom and fear of discussion on land and democratic rights
Faculty and Critics
Delhi University Administration
Reason for Cancellation
Faculty and Critics
The cancellation is an arbitrary decision that infringes upon academic freedom and autonomy. Some allege the government fears discussions on land and democratic rights. No formal written reason was provided.
Delhi University Administration
The event was cancelled due to the sociology department's failure to obtain prior administrative approval and follow established university procedures for holding events.
Significance of Colloquium
Faculty and Critics
The colloquium is a long-standing, prestigious tradition that has fostered vibrant academic discussion independently for over 60 years, even through challenging periods like the Emergency.
Delhi University Administration
The university values the colloquium tradition but emphasizes that all events must adhere to established systems and seek necessary administrative permissions to ensure transparency and compliance.
Key facts
- Event Canceled
- Talk titled 'Land, Property, and Democratic Rights' by Namita Wahi
- Organizing Department
- Department of Sociology, Delhi University
- Scheduled Date
- Friday
- Reason Cited by DU
- Lack of administrative approval and prior permission
- Colloquium Duration
- Over 60 years
Quotes
Yogesh Singh
Vice Chancellor (V-C) of Delhi University
“In recent times, we have cancelled a few other events, which were being held without taking any prior permission. There is a system in place to hold events and we request members to follow it.”
indianexpress.com
“The university has no problem with the tradition of the colloquium being followed… we just wanted to be informed.”
indianexpress.com
Nandini Sundar
Sociologist and former convenor of the colloquium
“Calling the decision “a serious diminishing of our academic freedom,” Sundar noted that the Friday colloquium — one of the oldest traditions of the Department of Sociology — has functioned independently “through the Emergency and all the other decades since the department was set up”.”
indianexpress.com
“Since I can no longer guarantee the intellectual integrity of the research colloquium and that it will not be cancelled arbitrarily at the last minute, I have resigned.”
indianexpress.com
Maya John
DU Academic Council (AC) member and faculty of Jesus and Mary College
“Further, the topic on land and democratic rights is a conventional/traditional topic of sociological discussion. It is also to be noted that the… colloquium is a long-standing and prestigious good practice of the department, and has nurtured vibrant academic discussion and sharing of research. The incident smacks of extreme administrative high-handedness and constitutes yet another endeavour at undercutting the academic autonomy of the university’s research departments… Such action needs to be reversed with immediate effect.”
indianexpress.com
“The recent interference of the DU authorities in the established colloquium series of the Sociology Department… marks a new low for the academia and quality research in the country…”
indianexpress.com
Vikas Gupta
Registrar of Delhi University
“We have been reiterating that the university should be informed prior to holding any events. We keep circulating these guidelines again and again. When public space of the university is used, guidelines need to be followed.”
indianexpress.com
