New Delhi:
The body representing Delhi University teachers on Sunday appealed to the newly-inducted HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju to turn his attention to their concerns, as their relay hunger strike completed 19 days.
The teachers, who have continued with their protest over the Dussehra and Eid vacations, have been demanding a greater say in the reforms being introduced in the University and a more democratic functioning on the part of the Vice Chancellor.
With the Ministry of HRD getting a new head in Pallam Raju, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) President Amar Deo Sharma appealed for his intervention.
Last week, university students and non-teaching staff members had also chipped in with their support to the cause.
A combined march of students, teachers and 'karamcharis' has also been planned on October 31.
A statement from DUTA said that Sharma appealed to Raju "to immediately intervene in the interests of thousands of Delhi University students, teachers and karamcharis who are demanding the restoration of democratic functioning, fulfilment of the constitutional obligation of implementing the Government's Reservation policy in all entry-level appointments."
Immediate roll back of "ill-conceived" examination reforms, "which threaten to destroy the credibility and sanctity of Delhi University examinations" was also demanded.
A student from Ambedkar University also joined the relay hunger strike today in support of her counterparts in Delhi University.
"When I heard about the protest here, I thought this is not just an issue limited to DU, but this is about the larger issue of democracy being overruled in educational institutions," said Tara Debi Roy.