‘Loss for the Students’: Former Faculty, Alumni Write to DU VC Over Cancellation of DSE’s Friday Colloquium

Former faculty and alumni from the Delhi University’s Department of Sociology have expressed their dismay regarding the cancellation of the Friday Research Colloquium, a significant academic tradition at the Delhi School of Economics (DSE). This series, which has been running for over 60 years, has been a platform for scholars to present their research and engage with students.

Context of the Cancellation

The cancellation of the colloquium was announced just two days prior to a scheduled seminar by Dr. Namita Wahi, a distinguished scholar with a doctorate from Harvard Law School. Dr. Wahi was set to discuss her research on land and property rights, a topic of critical importance in the context of India’s socio-economic landscape.

In a letter addressed to Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, the former faculty and alumni noted that the list of speakers and topics had been publicly available since the beginning of the semester, making the timing of the cancellation particularly puzzling.

Concerns Raised by Alumni and Faculty

The letter articulated several key concerns:

• The cancellation of Dr. Wahi’s seminar deprives students of a valuable opportunity to engage with a leading scholar and to discuss significant academic concepts.
• It undermines the tradition of the Friday Research Colloquium, which has been instrumental in fostering academic discourse and research skills among students.
• The requirement to seek administrative permission for such events is seen as impractical and burdensome, potentially stifling academic freedom and initiative.

Importance of the Friday Research Colloquium

The Friday Research Colloquium has played a pivotal role in the academic life of the Sociology department at Delhi University. Over the decades, it has:

• Provided a platform for students to interact with prominent scholars and practitioners in the field.
• Encouraged discussions on a wide range of topics, enhancing students’ understanding of their discipline.
• Helped students develop confidence in presenting and defending their research.

Call to Action

In their letter, the signatories urged the Vice Chancellor to uphold the standards of teaching and research that Delhi University is known for. They emphasized the need for trust in the faculty’s judgment regarding the selection of speakers and topics, arguing that such decisions should rest with the department to ensure the quality and relevance of academic discourse.

Signatories of the Letter

The letter was signed by a notable group of former faculty and alumni, including:

• Amita Baviskar, Professor of Sociology-Anthropology and Environmental Studies, Ashoka University
• Rita Brara, former Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi
• Veena Das, FBA, Professor Emerita, Johns Hopkins University
• Anand Chakravarti, former Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi
• Virginius Xaxa, former Associate Professor and Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi
• Deepak Mehta, Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ashoka University
• Rajni Palriwala, former Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi
• Radhika Chopra, former Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi
• Roma Chatterji, former Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi
• Patricia Uberoi, former UGC Research Associate, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi
• Dia Da Costa, Professor of Social Justice and International Studies in Education, University of Alberta
• Sarasij Majumder, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of India Studies, University of Houston
• Malavika Karlekar, Editor, Indian Journal of Gender Studies
• Pratiksha Baxi, Professor, Centre for the Study of Law & Governance, Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Sanjay Srivastava, Distinguished Research Professor, SOAS, University of London
• Nayanika Mathur, Professor of Anthropology and South Asian Studies, University of Oxford
• Mukulika Banerjee, current Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Ruchi Chaturvedi, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Cape Town
• Tapoja Chaudhuri, Assistant Teaching Professor, Seattle University
• Subhashim Goswami, Associate Professor and Head, Dept of Sociology, Shiv Nadar University
• Tanya Matthan, Assistant Professor, Geography and Environment, London School of Economics

Conclusion

The cancellation of the Friday Research Colloquium raises significant concerns about academic governance and the support for research initiatives at Delhi University. The collective voice of former faculty and alumni underscores the importance of maintaining robust academic traditions that benefit students and the broader university community.

Note: The information presented in this article is based on recent events and communications regarding the cancellation of the Friday Research Colloquium at Delhi University.