Panjab University Research Scholars Association

15/07/2024

Panjab University Research Scholars Association stands in solidarity with the protesting research scholars of Deenbandu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonipat, Haryana.
Research Scholars Unity long live
The issue is explained below by the protesting scholars

साथियो
हम दीनबंधु छोटू राम यूनिवर्सिटी ऑफ़ साइंस एंड टेक्नोलॉजी, मुरथल, सोनीपत, हरियाणा के शोधार्थी, चीफ वार्डन के तुगलकी फ़रमान और वेब ऑफ़ साइंस में दो पेपरों की अनिवार्यता के खिलाफ़ अकादमिक भवन में 10 जुलाई से अनिश्चितकालीन दिन रात के धरने पर बैठे हुए हैं। अब यह आन्दोलन इन दो मांगों तक सीमित न रहकर व्यापक रूप ले चुका है।

बॉयज हॉस्टल के चीफ वार्डन ने एक फ़रमान जारी किया है इस फ़रमान के अनुसार शोधकर्ताओं को तुरन्त हास्टल खाली करने को कहा गया है। साथ ही जो भी रिसर्च स्कॉलर अपनी रिसर्च के 4 साल पूरी कर चुके हैं उन्हें दोबारा हॉस्टल रूम अलॉट नहीं किया जायेगा। ऐसा किसी भी प्रकार का कोई भी नियम किसी भी यूनिवर्सिटी में नहीं है। यूनिवर्सिटी के पीएचडी आर्डिनेंस के अनुसार 6 साल तक कोई भी रिसर्च स्कॉलर रेगुलर रिसर्च कर सकता है तो ऐसे में इस तुगलकी फ़रमान का मतलब समझ नहीं आ रहा है।

चीफ वार्डन की नियुक्ति भी सभी नियमों की धज्जिया उड़ाकर की गई। यह नियुक्ति यूनिवर्सिटी में भाई भतीजावाद के चलते की गई है। डा अजय कुमार सिंह वाइस चांसलर जी के जीजा जी हैं , इसलिए ही पहले वाले चीफ वार्डन को समय से पहले हटाकर इनको चीफ वार्डन बनाया गया है। हॉस्टल में वार्डन्स अपने कार्यकाल पूरा करने के बाद भी अपने पद पर बने हुए हैं। हॉस्टल में जान बूझकर ऐसे नियम बनाये जा रहे हैं जिनसे छात्रों को प्रताड़ित किया जा सके और उनके शोध में खलल डाला जा सके।

यूनिवर्सिटी का वाईस चांसलर एक राजशाही की तरह व्यवहार कर रहा है जहाँ एक तरफ़ यूजीसी के अनुसार पेपरों की बाध्यता शोध पर नकारात्मक प्रभाव डाल रही है और पेपर की अनिवार्यता को हटा दिया गया है दूसरी तरफ़ यूनिवर्सिटी वाईस चांसलर एक तरफे निर्णय ले रहा है। और वेब ऑफ़ साइंस के जर्नल्स में दो पेपरों को प्रकाशित करना पीएचडी पूरी करने के लिए अनिवार्य कर दिया गया है। यह शर्त सिर्फ़ 2020-21 और 2021-22 के ही शोधार्थीयों पर लागु है उसके बाद यह शर्त हटा दी गई। आप बताइये यह बात कहाँ से तर्कसंगत लग रही है कि एक ही यूनिवर्सिटी के शोधार्थीयों के लिए अलग अलग नियम हों। इससे यूनिवर्सिटी के शोधार्थी तो मानसिक रूप से प्रताड़ित हो ही रहे हैं इसके साथ ही यूनिवर्सिटी में पढ़ाई और शोध दोनों की गुणवत्ता भी लगातार गिर रही है।

हमारी माँगे :
1.अवैध रूप से नियुक्त चीफ वार्डन को हटाकर नए चीफ वार्डन की नियुक्ति जो छात्रों और शोधार्थियों की जायज जरूरतों को समझ सके।
2.कार्यकाल पूरा हो चुके वार्डन को हटाकर नई नियुक्ति और हॉस्टल छात्र फंड के दुरुपयोग करने वाले वार्डन और चीफ वार्डन के खिलाफ जांच की जाए।
3.PhD submission के लिए Web of Science में प्रकाशित शोध पत्र की शर्त को हटाकर UGC CARE की शर्त लागू की जाए। (Ph.D Prospectus की क्लॉज 11.6 को amend किया जाए।)

4.लड़‌कियों के हॉस्टल की टाईमिंग 7 बजे से बढ़ाकर 10 बजे की जाए ताकि लैब में आराम से काम किया जा सके।
5.CIL (Central Instrumentation Laboratory) में कोई भी इंस्ट्रू‌मेंट वर्किंग में नहीं है और विभागों में भी ऐसा ही है। इस समस्या का भी समाधान निकाला जाये। (eg. XRD, FTIR, BET, TGA-DSC) शोधकर्ताओं को यें इंस्ट्रूमेंट मुफ्त में इस्तेमाल करने की छूट दी जाए।
6.Controller of Finance द्वारा Research Scholar's के साथ बद‌तमीजी से बात करना एवं फाईलों को बार-बार comments लिख कर वापिस भेजना।
7.DST - INSPIRE Scholars की 10 महीने से Fellowship लंबित है क्योंकि COF(कंट्रोलर ऑफ फाइनेंस) मनमानी करके vouchers expire होने देते है तथा कोई ठोस कदम नहीं लेते। "COF की जवाबदेही तय हो "
8.सभी Research scholars को Non-Net fellowship दी जाए
9. वीसी साहब विश्वविद्यालय को अपनी जागीर समझना बन्द करें। छात्र और कर्मचारी (टीचिंग और नान टीचिंग) दोनों को साथ लेकर और सहमति से फैसले लिए जाएं।

यह लड़ाई सिर्फ एक विश्वविद्यालय की लड़ाई नहीं है। बल्कि सभी विश्वविद्यालयों में जनवादी माहौल कायम करने के लिए है। यह हम सबकी लड़ाई है।

आप हमारे समर्थन में प्रैस नोट जारी करके इस लड़ाई में हमारे साथी बन सकते हैं।
धन्यवाद
निवेदक
तमाम शोधकर्ता
दीनबंधु छोटूराम यूनिवर्सिटी ऑफ साइंस एंड टेक्नोलॉजी
मुरथल, सोनीपत

संपर्क:
जसमिन्दर:8059138729
सरु सचदेवा: 9996819678
मंजीत: 9992130260

31/01/2021

PURSA strongly Condemns the arrest of Independent Journalist Mandeep Punia

the fascist attack on independent journalism

Mandeep Punia has been arrested by Delhi Police while reporting at Singhu Border near Kisan Majdoor Sangrsh Committee's stage. He was beaten by police while arresting him. Mandeep is an alumni of Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is an independent freelancer Journalist reporting for Caravan Magazine and also associated with Junputh. He has been vocally raising the voices of protesting farmers on all borders. For the last couple of days has been objectively exposing the violence unleashed by BJP-RSS goons apparently aided by Delhi Police. In fact, last facebook live on Mandeep Punia's profile categorically exposes the nexus of BJP-RSS goons and the aiding role of Delhi Police. According to him, he was going to do story on the stone pelting on Kisan Majdoor Sangrsh Committee's stage and farmers there as he had gathered enough evidence for the same. It is this prima facie reason of his arrest. Perturbed by dauntless historical farmers struggle, BJP government is hell bent on crushing all democratic voices to forcefully end farmers' protest against pro corporate farm laws. Modi government is using draconian UAPA to instill fear among democratic forces. But brave journalist like Mandeep Punia are fearlessly reporting and serving the cause of farmers. His arrest is blot on the independence of journalism. He has been denied bail and sent to judicial custody. PURSA resolutely stands with Mandeep Punia and independent journalism. PURSA demands immediate release of Mandeep Punia.

Mandeep Punia
with pro farmers voices
violence unleashed by BJP-RSS goons

21/11/2020

10/11/2020

-Condemn the Institutional Murder of Aishwarya by LSR Administration
-Release fellowships immediately
-Provide hostels accomodation for All

PURSA strongly Condemns the Institutional murder of Aishwarya Reddy by Lady Shri Ram College administration. Her fellowship was stopped and was forced to vacate hostel owing to ill-conceived lockdown foisted by Central government. From Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, Nazeeb, Fathima Lateef to Aishwarya the list of institutional murders is on the rise.

Lockdown has been used by authoritarian educational institutions to charge hefty fees without physical classes; by doing drama of online classes and by aggressively pursing the privatization agenda at the behest of BJP led government. Students and scholars were and are being continuously harassed by their respective administrations by withholding their fellowship for months, threatening and forcefully expelling from hostels.

Educational institutions across the country are creating an environment of fear and mental agony. Like Bona-fide student, Aishwarya, thousands of students and scholars are being denied scholarship causing unbearable financial hardship. Instead of addressing these thorny issues plaguing our educational institutions, BJP government has been forcing universities to comply with anti students, undemocratic and pro corporate New Education Policy 2020. It is this design of Commercialisation, centralisation and saffornisation which is solely responsible for such intermittent institutional murders. Marginalised sections has been worst hit by such exploitative and discriminatory policies.

We strongly condemn and oppose this nefarious design which makes education commodity, students as their clients and force our fellow students and scholars to commit su***de.

We demand justice to Aishwarya and guilty should be punished. We demand her one year fellowship must be given to her parents immediately as per her last wish. We demand scholarship for all and Hostels for all. We also demand that spending on education should be increased by stopping relentless spree of privatization of education.

-Stop centralisation and commodification of education
-Stop harassing students and scholars
-Oppose Privatization of education
-Down with authoritarian regimes

PURSA

30/10/2020

Press note on deliberate delay of Senate election

PURSA strongly condemns the deliberate attempt of Vice-Chancellor and his coterie of delaying the Senate election. It is apparently an attempt to demolish the democratic structure of decision making in the Panjab University, Chandigarh. VC is using pandemic as an opportunity to halt the conduct of the Senate election to completely demolish the democratic structure of Panjab University to hand over all remnant powers to MHRD. It is a direct assault on the sovereignty of Panjab University and its autonomy. The office of VC wants to vest all powers with it by utterly disregarding academic freedom and democratic space on the campus. This over-centralisation project is the continuation of a dangerous pattern of controlling and demolishing democratic structures in educational institutions. All renowned institutions like JNU, AMU, DU, etc. are struggling to maintain their autonomy under consistent intervention by BJP-RSS to push forward its political agenda of centralisation, privatization, commercialisation, and saffronisation. New Education Policy 2020 introduced by the BJP government is the continuation of this Agenda only. NEP 2020 intends to dispense with elected bodies with their own appointee board of governors. It will seriously undermine the quality of democratic functioning of PU. PU authorities have recently put a prior condition of implementation of NEP 2020 before the Senate election. This condition is nothing but to do away with the Senate election, thereby, the democratic structure of Panjab University. It must be read in the light of a ferocious attack on the federal structure and other democratic institutions in the country. Already states are protesting against the over-centralisation agenda in the form of GST and now Farm acts. Therefore, the intention is crystal clear. It is a question of saving the existence of the historical legacy of Panjab University. This contrived move will definitely lead to over-centralisation and further privatization of Panjab University. It will directly hit students, research scholars, teachers, security guards, and other employees alike. Already Panjab University Authority is pushing forward the exploitative privatization agenda to the hilt. Increasing privatization of security guard, contract teaching, guest faculty culture, self-financed courses, exorbitant fees, tightening noose over the neck of research scholars will get further push with this move. Therefore, we appeal to all stakeholders of Panjab University to save its democratic structure and save its autonomy. Students' bodies, students, research scholars, teachers, employees, and all well-wishers of Panjab University must unite to save Panjab University's autonomy. We appeal to the Chandigarh Administration to conduct the election at the earliest. We will soon intensify the struggle if elections are not being conducted soon.

*PURSA stands for PU' autonomy and democracy*
-PURSA

15/10/2020

Research Scholar Unity Long Live

14/10/2020

Press Release regarding hostel and Library reopening for research scholars

Press Release regarding hostel and Library reopening for research scholars PURSA held a huge protest demonstration for the reopening of Hostels and Library on 9th October. Before this, PURSA had given many memorandums and staged protests for the same. On October 9 protest, PURSA had warned to occupy hostels and Library. Under pressure, PU authorities had to call a meeting with PURSA on 13 Oct. In the meeting the following issues were resolved:
1. The research scholars from a science background who have completed 3 years of their tenure will be allowed to come to laboratories from Oct 15, 2020. The Ph.D. students of social sciences (those are in the 4th and 5th year) are also allowed with the permission of the supervisor.
2. The hostels will be opened from Nov 1, 2020, in a phased manner for the above-mentioned scholars. Those who have completed less than 3 years will be called after the success of the first phase probably from Nov 15.
3. The research scholars who are already staying in hostels will not be asked to vacate.
4. The decision for the opening library will be taken within a week.
5. The department libraries and central instrumentation laboratory will remain open on all working days.
6.The notice regarding HRA has been released. Those who are living on rented accommodation outside need not pay HRA to hostels.
7.The synopsis extension fees have been waived off till December 31, 2020 (official notice is yet to come).‌

Although PURSA has reluctantly agreed to the demands. But we believe that the university should not have taken two weeks too long time and put any bar on years of research scholars who would be allowed to access hostels and Library on November 1.

PURSA is of the view that PU authorities should allow all research scholars irrespective of years and degrees whether MPhil or Ph.D. For us, all research scholars' research is equally important. Therefore, they should also be allowed immediately. Besides, the library must be opened immediately. Because of the decision taken in the meeting, we defer our proposed protest. However, if PU authorities don't keep its words, we would be forced to occupy hostels and the Library immediately.

PURSA resolutely stands for the democratic rights of research scholars of Panjab University.

Scholars Unity Long Live

PURSA

17/07/2019

Huge Victory ✌️ of PURSA's resolute efforts. Culprit has been transferred to publication bureau. Although transfer doesn't absolve him of charges leveled against the culprit. But certainly, it has established a good precedent that unity of scholars can achieve what authorities try to hush through cheap tactics. Along with it biometric attendance has been abandoned with immediate effect. PURSA will continue to work for scholars and overall society's in its capacity.
PURSA firmly stands with scholars and students

16/07/2019

PU authorities tried hard to hush up cases of mental and physical harassment by using its power through their guides instead of solving such issues with a sense of urgency. The mentality of PU authorities is clearly patriarchal and anti women. It must be noted that mostly such issues are treated with most reactionary way by saying that actioni against culprits would cause reputation loss for institutes concerned. On contrary, it must be viewed that girls have bravely shown that they would not tolerate such bulsh*t at least in the institutions of higher education. But by hushing up the harassment case they have put the daring girl scholars in the dilemma whether they would again dare to stand up against such issues. Therefore, It must be resisted tooth and nail. PURSA resolutely stands with scholars and will not tolerate any such harassment.

08/07/2019

*Reporting of PURSA's meeting regarding Biometric Attendance*

Today PURSA's meeting was held regarding "Biometric attendance" in the UBS department. It was termed as the most regressive step for free and independent research particularly for social science whose laboratory is society. Even for research in science who may want to work day or night biometric attendance is a serious unacademical restrain on free thinking. *Technology cannot produce committment. Committed research needs free and independent hassle free environment which is severely restricted and restrained by biometric attendance. Technology is always for human assistance*. Therefore, it must play a subordinate role like online transactions etc. For that they still employ paper work just to harass scholars of some departments particularly UBS. *Today in the morning PURSA along with UBS scholars has given represention with demands which are attached below of this statement.*
It was resolved that PURSA will wait and watch for 3-4 days for authorities' response. Next stance will taken accordingly. If administration doesn't not resolve the issues and targeting individual scholars than PURSA will resort to public postering and protest demonstration etc. Individual targeting, threatening and mental torture on daily basis has become routine affair and cheap tactics. It has also been noticed that authorities try to break the formidable unity of scholars by employing various tactics like by avoiding or bypassing PURSA representation. In meeting, this non-serious attitude was condemned.

We kindly request you to fulfil our following demands:-
1. Abolish biometric attendance system and replace it with one time flexible timing attendance.
2. Reduce the load of teaching assignments apart from the ones assigned to conduct quality research so that the reputation of the University achieves greater heights through quality research.
3. Appropriate recognition of the academic and administrative work done at the department.
4. Research scholars should alternatively be free for one semester so that the research work is conducted without hassle.
5. Put an end to threatening, harassment and individual targeting of research scholars at UBS

-PURSA

07/07/2019

An issue of urgent attention for research scholars
UBS department has unacademically and clerically installed biometric for attendance of scholars which will be operational from coming Monday. This is the beginning of a serious unacademical attack on quality research in the university. There is no academic logic in installing biometric for attendance whatsoever bizarre arguments UBS Chairperson gives. The initial inputs suggest that this illogical and unacademical decision is taken to control the research scholars thereby their research independence. It is a clear case of vendetta politics played by UBS Chairperson Deepak Kapur who thinks this public department is his feud. Authorities fail to understand that by putting numerous restrictions like biometric attendance apart from two time attendance in some departments, is actually harming research instead of doing any good.
They fail to understand the basic essence of research in social science. The laboratory of social science is society. We underline this point again that "The laboratory of social science is society" because authorities of low research acumen have been appointed to the positions where they don't understand this very simple fact about social science research. In case of social science, researchers have to visit field to capture observations which may not be according to wishes and time and space of the researchers. They have to manage research schedule according to the situation in the area of field work. So, they need liberty from this incessant heckling of attendance and the particular imposed timing of attendance. Ironically, PU authorities under unacademic and untrustworthy leadership UBS Chairperson is setting worst precedent in research by showing its clerical acumen instead of research oriented attitude.
Scholars this is the beginning and it must be nipped in the bud by wholeheartedly resisting this anti-research move. They may implement such unacademic and anti-research decision in all departments. So, resistance in the very beginning is of utmost importance.
It must be noted that technology can never inculcate research ethics. Technology has its own limitations and technology is always helpful to those who owns them to control the activities of those on whom it is applied. Had it been so useful in ensuring discipline and research ethics teachers would have voluntarily applied on themselves by leading from the front. But, that is not the case. They just want to be slave of technology. Overreliance on technology speaks of their own effectiveness and quality of teaching and research.
We have to resist biometric for scholars and faculties. Technology generates distrust. If PU authorities don't have trust on scholars and teachers than mere biometric will only aggravate distrust. There is a palpable trust deficit. Technology is for human beings, not vice-versa.
They just want to harass scholars and want to use scholars for teaching assignment. They don't want recruit requisite faculty for teaching staff crunch. The decision of biometric attendance is of childish nature in a way that scholars whom PU authorities consider "valuable assets" of the university are not trusted by UBS department for their seriousness especially when all scholars have been given teaching assignment which is adversely affecting their research which again violate UGC guidelines that "research must be hindered by any kind of workload". Authorities want to control scholars like school students. This is seriously childish act and make mockery of research by UBS decision makers.
There is a serious trust deficit among UBS authorities on their hardworking UBS scholars who have already been overburdened with teaching assignments. This is not a creative way of creating creative minds. If they don't have trust on their scholars than how can biometric attendance ensure can instil any research acumen. Biometric attendance or simple attendance or two times attendance cannot produce quality research. Committed research is not possible by hanging technology around the necks of scholars which suffocate scholars rather than create an environment of quality research. PURSA senses that such bizarre, clerical and anti-research decision may be applied to other departments. It may be a pilot project. So, we need to oppose this un-academic decision tooth and nail.
PURSA resolutely stands for congenial research environment where a quality research proliferate. For such a noble cause, we need to be united against such authoritarian, undemocratic, clerical, unacademic and anti-research attitude of PU authorities led by UBS Chairperson who is hell bent on tarnishing the image of UBS, thereby, Panjab University, Chandigarh. In this regard, PURSA will hold brief meeting to discuss the strategy to put united face.
-PURSA