New Delhi: On the evening of December 4, eight out of 10 ad hoc teachers at Ramjas College's English department in Delhi University were arbitrarily removed, illuminating a persistent issue within the university's academic culture.

The arbitrary removal of ad hoc teachers has become a concerning trend, with 75% already displaced by April 2023, raising alarms about the fairness of the ad hoc system and the overall decline in academic standards.

Miss Debolina Dey, who worked at the department for nine years, shared her unusual experience during the job interview process. She said that the subjective nature of literature was treated objectively, with topics like sexual identities, queerness, and feminism seemingly disregarded during interviews.

Originally designed for short-term vacancies, ad hoc appointments have become normalised, subjecting thousands of teachers to a constant cycle of contract renewals every four months.

Professor Apoorvanand highlighted the open secret of political affiliations playing a decisive role in appointments, especially if recommended by sources linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Instances of individuals expressing gratitude to RSS-affiliated figures, such as DUTA President A.K. Bhagi, further fuel suspicions of a political bias in hiring and firing decisions.

Students have also voiced concerns about the impact of political affiliations on the academic landscape.

As the practice of favouring political connections over merit persists, questions arise about the longstanding nature of this issue and its contribution to the erosion of educational institutions.

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