National Democratic Teachers’ Front (NDTF) has come out in support of the Delhi University (DU) professor, Bidyut Chakraborty whose name reportedly figures in the list for the post of new Vice Chancellor of DU.

The NDTF in a statement on Wednesday said the left and AAD (Aditya) group trying to delay and derail the process of VC’s appointment is a  “malicious attempt” which the teachers’ front oppose.

The NDTF alleged that the left and AAD (Aditya) group wished to have the previous regime to continue further. “With this ulterior motive, they have fabricated a controversy related to shortlisted candidate, Professor Chakraborty, for VC’s position. He has been a sequential victim of the left agenda from the denial of due headship to slapping of false case of sexual harassment,” it stated.

Stressing that Chakraborty was exonerated by the High Court in the sexual harassment case, the NDTF stated, “After closely going through the details of the case and all other documents including the court judgment, NDTF has reached a conclusion that Prof Chakraborty was exonerated from the charges by the High Court and was further permitted to have travel visa and bestowed with some high positions also.”

“NDTF condemns such an attempt by vested interests of left and Congress combine to put pressure on Ministry of Human Resources and Development and Visitor by false propaganda against one shortlisted candidate so that this panel is cancelled and appointment of VC be further delayed,” it further added.

The teacher’s front has said it wants an early appointment of the VC.

“The University can function normally and at the same time we don’t favour any particular candidate for this post. We oppose any attempt to derail the process of appointment of VC and letting the same regime to continue.

“We hope that better sense will prevail on the concerned and a correct decision irrespective of false propaganda by left-Congress combine would be taken soon. At the same time we reiterate that NDTF has zero tolerance for sexual harassment of women at work place but the instrumentalities of Apex Committee etc. should not be exploited to persecute people for political reasons,” it said.