The Jadavpur University unit of the All Bengal University Teachers’ Association (ABUTA) is demanding the cancellation of recent election notifications. They argue that the elections are based on outdated 1982 statutes, which contradict amendments made to the Jadavpur University Act, 1981. This inconsistency, according to ABUTA, renders the entire election process legally untenable and could lead to institutional instability.
Jadavpur University Elections Challenged by Teachers’ Association
The All Bengal University Teachers’ Association (ABUTA) has called for the immediate cancellation of election notifications issued by Jadavpur University (JU) in West Bengal. The professors’ organization asserts that the announced elections, intended for various representative panels, are being conducted under “defunct and legally untenable” statutes that contradict significant amendments made to the primary Jadavpur University Act.
Why ABUTA Demands Cancellation of JU Elections
According to the Jadavpur University unit of ABUTA, the current elections are proceeding under the Jadavpur University Election Statutes of 1982. This is problematic because the parent legislation, the Jadavpur University Act of 1981, underwent substantial amendments over a decade ago. These amendments revised the structure and composition of key decision-making bodies within the university, including the Court, Executive Council, and various faculty councils.
ABUTA state committee member Goutam Maity highlighted that while the university law was amended, the corresponding election rules were never formally updated to reflect these changes. The association firmly believes that once a parent law is amended, any older rules that conflict with the new provisions are no longer legally valid. Therefore, holding elections based on these outdated statutes makes the entire process arbitrary and legally questionable.
Inconsistencies in the Election Process
ABUTA points to several critical inconsistencies within the current election notification:
- Structured Sequence Bypass: The 1982 statutes mandated a two-stage election process. First, the Court and faculty councils were to be constituted with elected, nominated, and ex-officio members. Only then would members of the Executive Council be elected from within these bodies. The current notification, however, allegedly bypasses this structured sequence, primarily restricting the process to teachers’ constituencies for representation in the Court and Executive Council.
- New Academic Structures Ignored: A 2012 amendment to the university Act introduced new academic structures, such as a dedicated faculty council for interdisciplinary studies, law, and management. These newer structures are not mentioned in the 1982 statutes, rendering the old election rules incompatible with the university’s current institutional framework.
Legal Challenges and Call for Revised Statutes
Describing the university’s move as “ultra vires” (beyond its legal power), ABUTA has warned that any authority constituted through these flawed elections could face significant legal challenges and lead to institutional instability within Jadavpur University. The teachers’ body has urged the university authorities to take immediate action.
Their primary demand is to first finalize and officially approve revised statutes that align fully with the amended Jadavpur University Act. Following this, new elections should be conducted in a transparent and legally sound manner. As of now, there has been no official response from the Jadavpur University authorities regarding ABUTA’s demands.
