A section of Kalyani University teachers demonstrated in front of the vice-chancellor’s office on Thursday demanding withdrawal of a new biometric attendance system.

Tapas Banerjee, general secretary of the Teachers’ Council, said: “We are not against the new system. But we have reservations as it is being implemented without any government order.”

The resistance and the reason cited for it surprised many as teachers have usually been against any decision imposed on them through government orders, seeing them as an infringement on the institute’s powers.

Sources said 710 of the 728 Kalyani University employees, including teachers, had already registered biometric data for the new system.

“The (university’s) executive council has approved it. It is not clear why some teachers started protesting against the system if they are sincere about their duties and responsibilities,” said Sankar Kumar Ghosh, the vice-chancellor.