An email sent to teachers read: “Attendance in the mentioned course is compulsory. Kindly ensure your presence. In case of non-compliance, college administration will take necessary action against such teachers.” The college’s chairman confirmed the course isn’t mandatory, and that it was only for the newly appointed educators.
The first line explicitly says attendance for the Bhagavad Gita course at DU’s Ramanujan College is not necessary. This comes after an email was sent to teachers by the school claiming attendance was required. Some of those who received it shared screenshots on Twitter.
“The first line of our email invitation reads ‘attendance is not compulsory.’ I hope this clears up any confusion,” said Chairman Jigar Champaklal Inamdar in a statement.
The course, which runs from Dec. 22 to Jan. 9, 2024, was listed as being mandatory for new teaching staff members. However, veterans were given the option to attend either online or in-person.
Champaklal Inamdar said if some teachers are unable to attend that’s OK — they’ll learn about Krishna’s teachings regardless.
BA Course | BBA Course |
BCOM Course | BCA Course |
BSC Course | BBM Course |
BTech Course | BEd Course |
BAF Course | BSW Course |
MBA Course | MCA Course |
MCom Course | MSC Course |
MSW Course | MSC IT Course
|
The rest of his statement says: “We’re holding this course to allow students to gain knowledge of Hinduism and better understand its teachings.”
After reading this it should be clear attendance is not required. Teachers have been tweeting screenshots of an email they received from DU’s Ramanujan College saying otherwise.
The message states: “Attendance in the mentioned course is compulsory. Kindly ensure your presence.”
However, since then the school has clarified that it isn’t needed and will not be held against anyone who doesn’t show up.
In a statement released on Friday morning, Council Chairman Jigar Champaklal Inamdar wrote that attendees should not worry about their jobs and said the main purpose of the course is to “impart and understand” Krishna’s lessons.