Why DU's Hindu College staff seeking principal's removal? All you need to know

The Hindu College Staff Association (HCSA) has demanded the removal of Principal Anju Srivastava and Governing Body chairman T C A Rangachari, calling for an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in admissions, financial transactions, appointments and administrative decisions at the prestigious Delhi University institution.

The association, which has been staging a protest since September 14, has also sought the university's immediate intervention and a temporary takeover of the college's administration. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the teachers' body said it had passed a no-confidence resolution against the principal and accused the administration of systematically undermining established governance procedures.

The allegations range from violations of admission rules and delays in faculty promotions to financial opacity, commercial use of college infrastructure and the alleged targeting of teachers who questioned administrative decisions.

The association has demanded that Delhi University constitute an extended governing body to oversee the institution's functioning until an independent inquiry is completed.

𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁

The confrontation began over alleged irregularities in admissions under the Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) quotas for the 2026–27 academic session.

Under Delhi University's admission rules, no single undergraduate programme is supposed to receive more than 20 per cent of the total supernumerary seats available under these categories.

However, the staff association alleged that the allocation of seats to BCom (Honours) and BA (Honours) Political Science exceeded the prescribed limit.

Of the 48 seats available under the Sports and ECA quotas, 17 were allotted to BCom (Honours) and 15 to Political Science, according to the association.

The teachers argued that the disproportionate allocation disadvantaged students seeking admission to other programmes and raised questions about compliance with university regulations.

Delhi University, however, attributed the excess allocation to an error in its admission algorithm.

Principal Anju Srivastava has denied direct involvement in determining the allocations, maintaining that admissions are centrally managed by the university.

She has explained that the college processes applications allotted through the university's central admission system and that the principal does not independently determine the allocation of seats.

Despite the explanation, the association has continued to demand an independent investigation into the admissions process.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹'𝘀 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱

The dispute has expanded beyond admissions to the functioning of the college's statutory bodies.

The HCSA has alleged that the administration has repeatedly bypassed the Staff Council, which plays an important role in academic and administrative decision-making.

Teachers claim that parallel committees have been constituted to exercise responsibilities that should ordinarily fall within the council's jurisdiction.

The association has also raised concerns over the frequency and conduct of Staff Council meetings, alleging that established procedures have not been followed consistently.

Faculty members have complained about delays in processing study leave, childcare leave, sabbatical leave and promotions.

The association has further questioned the continuation of certain administrative office-holders beyond their prescribed tenures.

It has demanded the restoration of the Staff Council's authority and strict compliance with Delhi University statutes and ordinances.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆

The protesting teachers have sought an independent examination of the college's financial management, procurement practices and use of institutional resources.

Among the issues raised are hostel mess contracts, the prolonged outsourcing of security and sanitation services, and alleged irregularities in construction-related expenditure.

The association has demanded disclosure of governing body meeting minutes, audited accounts, tender documents, contracts and other financial records.

It has also called for implementation of observations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

According to the HCSA, greater transparency is necessary to determine whether financial and administrative decisions have complied with applicable rules.

The association has separately raised questions about fee increases, scholarship administration and grievance redressal mechanisms.

These allegations remain unproven, and an independent inquiry would be required to establish whether any financial or procedural violations occurred.

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

Another major point of contention concerns the alleged commercial use of college infrastructure.

The staff association has claimed that buildings and facilities have been taken over or renamed in connection with corporate donors, including the Chimes Group, Relaxo and Ultra International.

It has questioned whether such arrangements comply with university regulations and the institution's obligations as a publicly funded educational establishment.

The teachers have sought an investigation into the agreements governing the use and naming of college facilities.

The association has also raised concerns about repeated fire incidents, structural defects and seepage in newly constructed buildings.

It has demanded an independent examination of campus safety arrangements and construction-related decisions.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄-𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝘄

The confrontation escalated after the college's governing body issued show-cause notices to three faculty members, including HCSA president Ratan Lal, secretary Shankar Kumar and associate professor P K Vijayan.

The association has alleged that the notices were issued in retaliation for raising concerns about the administration.

It has demanded their immediate and unconditional withdrawal, arguing that teachers should not face disciplinary action for questioning decisions taken by college authorities.

The HCSA has also alleged selective targeting of certain faculty members, particularly those belonging to Dalit and other vulnerable communities.

It has called for an independent investigation into these allegations and measures to protect faculty members from intimidation.

The administration's disciplinary notices have become a central issue in the continuing protest, with teachers maintaining that the action has discouraged open discussion of institutional governance.

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗗𝗨 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿

The HCSA has asked Delhi University to temporarily assume control of Hindu College and constitute an extended governing body.

The association argues that such an arrangement would allow an independent examination of the allegations while protecting the institution from what it describes as attempts at privatisation.

It has demanded the removal of the principal and governing body chairman to ensure that the proposed inquiry is conducted without administrative interference.

The teachers' body said it had submitted memorandums to the university's vice-chancellor and the college's governing body but had not received an effective response.

The agitation has also drawn support from political representatives.

According to the association, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Lok Sabha MP Sudhakar Singh have addressed protesting teachers and students and expressed solidarity with their demands.

The staff association has maintained that the protest is intended to protect academic autonomy, institutional accountability and the public character of Hindu College.

The college administration has disputed allegations concerning its role in admissions, while the broader demands for an independent inquiry and changes in governance remain unresolved.

With the protest continuing, the focus is now on whether Delhi University will intervene to examine the allegations and address the widening confrontation between the faculty and college authorities.