University of Hyderabad faculty go on indefinite hunger strike

Alleging that Professor Gracious Temsen had faced racial and gender discrimination, the University of Hyderabad faculty announced an indefinite relay hunger strike from Thursday, The Hindu reports. According to the news report, security officials from the University of Hyderabad had raided Dr. Temsen’s home based on a complaint from a neighbour and took photos of people there on May 31.

The raid was deemed illegal by the faculty and a violation of privacy. Dr.Temsen is from Shillong. Though the University of Hyderabad Teachers’ Association (UHTA) demanded the vice-chancellor investigate the matter, the committee constituted by the VC was prejudiced it said.

The UHTA wants a public apology for Dr. Temsen and a show-cause notice to be issued to the deputy registrar estate and security, Deccan Chronicle reports. They also want the investigation committee to be reconstituted with representatives from north-east India.

The hunger strike will take place near the DST bus stop from 9 am to 9 pm with two faculty members sitting in at a time.