Art college students write to Sisodia against HOD

NEW DELHI: Students and faculty members of the visual communication department of the College of Art have written to Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia complaining against their Head of Department (HOD) for alleged unfair treatment and abusive comments.

The BA and MA students claimed that when they asked the teacher, Raj Kumar Mahajan, to tone down his abusive comments, he said that he would ensure that the students did not pass their exams.

Delhi College of Art is a Delhi government maintained college affiliated to the Delhi University.

Students requested Sisodia to intervene and ensure his immediate removal. They said they would go on strike and file a police complaint against the teacher if action is not taken.

“Whenever we try to raise our issues, he threatens to fail us in our examination. He tells us that he is above the law,” said a fourth-year student who did not want to be named.

The students had submitted the letter to the principal on March 13 but no action has been taken so far. After that, a letter was sent to the education minister, the Delhi University vice-chancellor and the Delhi Commission for Women.

Women students have made particular references in the letter, accusing Mahajan of making objectionable statements. In the letter, the students said Mahajan consistently insulted and humiliated the staff.

The HOD refuted the allegations and said it is not a big issue and just a ‘clash of ideology’. “I am trying to bring reform within the department but the students are creating unnecessary trouble,” said Mahajan.

The students disagree.“How can a teacher who has no knowledge of technology bring in reforms to the visualcommunicationdepartment? He specializes in applied art,” said a student.

The principal, meanwhile, tried to down play the issue. “These are minor issues that will get sorted with time. He is a good teacher and I will make sure that this problem is addressed,” SN Lahiri, officiating principal, Delhi College of Art said.