Protest erupts over SC’s order on faculty recruitment cancellation

A protest was held at Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, by 1,158 assistant professors and librarians after the recent decision by the Supreme Court to cancel their recruitment.

The professors who have lost their jobs following the court’s orders said the decision had created uncertainty over their employment and cast a shadow over the future of higher education in the state.

The assistant professors held protests outside SCD Government College and GCG College. It is worth mentioning that the recruitment was advertised by the Punjab Government in October 2021. After a complete hearing in the High Court, the court ordered the Punjab Government to proceed with the joining of all selected candidates. However, when the case went to the SC, the state government failed to defend it properly. As a result, on July 14, the Supreme Court cancelled the recruitment, causing a serious crisis for higher education in the state and putting the jobs at risk, maintained the affected assistant professors.

The unit of the 1,158 assistant professors and librarians protested against the negligence of the government. “All the selected candidates in this recruitment are qualified, and the recruitment was carried out in a completely transparent manner. We demand that the government file a review petition in the SC to safeguard our jobs,” said the faculty members.

They also urged that those already serving in government colleges not be relieved.

Ludhiana