Suspension of RTI Activist Dr Tariq Islam: Teachers to intensify stir

Teacher''s union to intensify stir in AMU
Fri, Sep 11 03:34 PM
Aligarh, Sep 11 (PTI) The Aligarh Muslim University Teacher's Association has threatened to go on a strike if the suspension of a senior faculty member is not revoked. Traiq Islam, a senior Reader in the Philosophy department, was suspended last month for allegedly "tampering" with his marksheet while submitting job application here over 20 years ago. In a meeting held yesterday, the secretary of AMUTA said that a "unanimous" resolution was passed that the teachers will observe a token strike tomorrow and will protest in front of VC''s office on Monday. "If the University fails to reinstate Islam, we will intensify the stir when classes reopen after Eid vacations," spokesman Jamshed Siddiqui said. When contacted, the University spokesman said his suspension has "nothing to do with he being a RTI activist". He said the latest information from the London Metropolitan University, from where Islam has done his post graduation, shows that there is a "glaring" discrepancy in the marksheet submitted by him at the time of his appointment in AMU. Islam, however, contended that he was suspended by the university on similar charges 10 years ago and was cleared by the highest court of the country which later led to his reinstatement. "How can you punish a person twice for same crime," Islam said adding he is being punished for exposing "irregularities" in the university.