Face-off between AMU V-C, teachers association

Aligarh: The Secretary of Aligarh Muslim University Teachers Association has been served with a notice asking him to explain the reason for going on leave without permission, a move that is being seen as a sign of growing confrontation between the association and the Vice Chancellor.

The face-off between VC Lieutenant General (retd) Zameer Uddin Shah and the Secretary AMUTA Mustafa K Q Zaidi started when the some members of the association sat on 'dharna' on October 13, seeking a CBI probe into what they alleged irregularities in admissions.

To assuage the ruffled feathers, AMUTA has formed a three-member panel of senior teachers who are expected to meet the Vice Chancellor shortly. The panel will try to resolve widening gap between the AMUTA and the University administration, sources said.

In the notice, Secretary Zaidi has been accused of dereliction of duty and absence from his teaching assignment on October 13, the day of 'dharna'.

On Friday last, there were reports of angry exchange of words between V-C Shah and the Secretary after the latter was summoned by the V-C to explain the reason behind his absence without a leave.

Yesterday's show cause notice mentions that Zaidi had argued with the V-C, who was asking him to refrain from wrongly defending himself.

Following the altercation, the AMUTA passed a resolution alleging that the V-C had "misbehaved" with the Secretary during the meeting.

Refuting the allegation of misbehaviour, a spokesman of the university said, "The issue of misbehavior is a ruse to divert attention from the issue of being absent without leave."

Zaidi has been given time till the afternoon of October 23 for filing his response to the above notice.