DU Writes To Government On ‘Work In Process’ Merger

The University of Delhi has written a letter to the Delhi government, guaranteeing that “proper procedure for de-alliance of the College of Art was not followed.” Prior, the government’s directorate of training and technical education stated that they have endorsed the consolidation of the College of Art with the School of Fine Arts in Ambedkar University and have requested that the college make courses of action for admissions from the following scholarly session. In its March 3 order, the directorate stated that the merger of Delhi College of Art happened under the Dr. BR Ambedkar Vishwavidyalaya Act 2007, based on the recommendation of an empowered committee. On Tuesday, the Delhi Cabinet had merged the college, formerly affiliated to DU, with Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD). All three institutions are state-run.

Soon after, students raised concerns about their degrees and DU officials had called it “illegal and arbitrary”.

Ashwani Kumar Kansal (deputy director), while conversing with TOI has also clarified that the students currently enrolled in the College of Art will continue to function by norms of Delhi University and will receive their degrees from Delhi University after fulfilling the requisite degree requirements. The college’s officiating principal BS Chauhan on Friday said the same in an order.

However, DU has now written to the government highlighting certain issues. “If they want the college to be de-affiliated, then there is a proper procedure that needs to be followed,” an official said.

The same day, Delhi University wrote to the government asking it to follow “due process” before removing the affiliation of the college. “Delhi government cannot de-affiliate any college fully funded by it from DU without taking proper approval from the university’s statutory bodies, academic and executive councils. We are waiting for their response,” said DU Dean of Colleges Balram Pani.

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