The IIT Kharagpur authorities have sent a show-cause notice to the teachers’ association of the institute over its letter to the Union education ministry about alleged nepotism, arbitrary faculty recruitment and other issues.

The association, in its September 20 letter, wrote that its experience with V.K. Tewari, the director of the institute, prompted them to approach the ministry.

The registrar of IIT Kharagpur wrote to the association last Tuesday: “The institute is deeply concerned by the contents of your letter and accordingly, you are required to provide a detailed written explanation with evidence for the following.... Failure to provide a satisfactory response or explanation within the stipulated time (seven days) may lead to further action, which could include a disciplinary measure, in accordance with the institute’s regulations.”

Registrar Amit Jain in a separate communication has showcaused the general secretary of the teachers’ association on charges of speaking to the media about the allegations.

The registrar’s letter to
the general secretary says: “Explain, within seven days of the receipt of the notice, why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against you for your actions in
publicly raising these allegations without following the procedure and acting in a manner that may be seen as misconduct.”

In its September 20 letter, the association flagged its concerns about the allegations and urged the ministry to keep in mind while appointing a new director early next year that a person with high academic repute as well as “experience in practising inclusive governance” should be considered for the post.

“Nepotism” has been “at its worst” during the five-year tenure of the present director, the association wrote.

The teachers alleged that “arbitrariness and vindictiveness in the faculty selection process” had forced several “faculty members to leave the institute”.

“Many young, bright candidates are hesitant to apply and join the institute,” the teachers wrote.

The teachers alleged that the director failed to start and operationalise a super-speciality hospital built with good infrastructure on the campus in the hope that the IIT community and people around Kharagpur would benefit.

Jain wrote to the teachers’ association on November 12: “Please provide specific instances or evidence of favouritism or unfair practice.... that would justify such a claim (nepotism). The institute follows established procedures for faculty recruitment. Kindly elaborate on any perceived deviations from these procedures and provide sufficient evidence.... Please clarify the reasons for your claims of failure in this area (failure to establish a multi-speciality hospital).”

“The association submitted evidence for each of the allegations in the letter to the ministry. This show-cause is an attempt to suppress the voice of dissent,” a member of the teachers’ association told The Telegraph.

A notification issued by then IIT registrar B.N. Singh on June 5, 2020, said: “No employee shall in any radio broadcast or in any document published anonymously in his own name or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in public utterance, make any statement of fact or opinion which has the effect of any adverse criticism of any current policy or action of the
institute.”

Asked for a response, director Tewari wrote in a text message: “Please talk to the registrar.”

Calls and text messages from this newspaper to the registrar did not yield any response. He did not respond to an email either.