Row erupts in DU over Prof Saibaba's rejoining request

A request for reinstatement by Delhi University professor G N Saibaba, who is out on bail in a case of alleged Maoist links, has resulted in a confrontation between a section of students and university teachers.

While the Delhi University Teachers Association is supporting the 90 per cent disabled professor on the issue of reinstatement, a group of students led by members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad is opposing it claiming the move will have a "bad influence" on students.

An English professor at Ram Lal Anand College, Saibaba was suspended from the DU following his arrest by the Maharashtra Police in 2014 for alleged Maoist links. He was lodged in Nagpur Central Jail for 14 months and granted bail in July 2015 after the court noticed his deteriorating health condition.

However, the bail was cancelled and he was re-arrested in December last.

The Supreme Court had earlier this month granted him bail saying the Maharashtra government has been "extremely unfair" to him.

"I have requested the college to reinstate my services, so I can get back to leading a normal life. I have been informed that a one-member committee has been formed by the college to look into the issue," Saibaba said.

The decision to form the committee was taken at a governing body meeting of the college in which representative of DUTA supported his demand.

However, members of ABVP led by Delhi University Students' Union Joint Secretary Chhatrapal Yadav staged a protest outside college on Thursday and submitted a memorandum to the authorities.

"He should not be allowed to join back because this will set a wrong precedent as well as have a bad influence on students. If the administration goes ahead with it, we will oppose the move," Yadav said.

When contacted, college principal Vijay K Sharma said, "The committee will look into the issue and a final decision will be taken only on basis of its recommendations."