In support of their single-point demand for inclusion in the ongoing process of recruitment of the posts of guest teachers in the Government colleges of State, the Uttarakhand PhD holders association tried to march to the residence of State Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Sunday.
The police, however, stopped the march at Kanak Chowk and prevented them from going ahead. The agitated members squatted on the road and engaged in slogan shouting against the State Government and Higher Education Minister Indira Hridayesh. However on the assurance of media advisor of Chief Minister, Surendra Kumar that the CM would discuss their concerns, the members of the association relented and suspended their dharna.
Earlier in the day, the Ph D holders assembled at lansdowne Chowk and engaged in a vehement protest. The members were particularly agitated on police lathi charge on them at Higher education directorate at Haldwani recently. Addressing the agitators the State President of the association, Devendra Rawat said that in all the States barring Uttarakhand the pre 2009 Ph D holders are eligible for being appointed as assistant Professors. He blamed the State Government for doing injustice to the Ph D holders and engaging in unwarranted oppression. The Vice President of the association Manisha Uniyal questioned the silence of State Chief Minister Harish Rawat on barbaric lathicharge on the Ph D holders. The leaders of the association threatened to start a fast unto death if the State Government continues to ignore their demand.
The media in-charge of the association Virendra Barthwal said that the State Government should wait for the recommendation of Nigvekar committee on the issue.
The members of the association are peeved at the decision of the state government which prevented the Pre 2009 Ph D qualified candidates from participating in the interviews of the guest faculty in the Government colleges. The process of appointment in 681 vacant teaching posts in the government colleges is currently in progress.