Appointment of Stephen's College head held illegal

New Delhi: The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions has ruled that Valsan Thampu's appointment as OSD (Officer on Special Duty) of Delhi’s prestigious college, St. Stephens is illegal.

The regulatory authority of minority educational institutions on Tuesday asked the college to take ''urgent corrective'' measures and appoint a new principal.

The National Commission of Minority Education Institutions (NCMEI) termed the appointment of Thampu as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the prestigious college as a case of mal-administration and said his appointment cannot be justified under the ''cloak of minority's autonomy''.

Thampu had been appointed the OSD of the college for three years after former principal Anil Wilson took over as the Vice Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University.

Valson Thampu refused to comment on the issue. “I am a person who likes peace and quiet. I don’t like noise,” he said.

The controversy arose after Valson Thampu issued show-cause notices to two teachers of the college. The Delhu University Teachers’ Association took up the teachers' cause and demanded Thampu’s removal as the OSD at the college.

Thampu, however, rejects the charge. “I go on record to say that the NCMEI has not adhered to the Act and has not taken this decision based on any facts,” he claims.

The NCMEI believes that Thampu's case will dilute the authority of Delhi University since the appointment and removal of college principals is within its jurisdiction. “His appointment is arbitrary and illegal,” the judge had said in his ruling.

Not just the DUTA, even many teachers at the prestigious college have now begun protesting against Thampu's continuation.

Teachers feel that they have been going through a lot of harassment since the last eight months.

However, the worst sufferers of this chaos are the students.

With the NCMEI also ruling against him, it is almost certain that Valson Thampu's appointment is illegal. However, what is more unfortunate is that the principal of such an eminent institution should have his academic credentials questioned in this manner.