Visva-Bharati authorities have issued a directive asking employees of the central university not to send service-related grievances to “dignitaries of the Government of India” and warned violators of action.

The “office memo” on the varsity website issued by officiating registrar Ashok Mahato on Friday evening read: “It has been noticed that a few employees of the University are airing their service related grievances in public... even going to the extent of sending copies of such emails to dignitaries of the Government of India and other organisations and also engaging in publicity in media (print/digital/social etc). Such acts being not in accordance with the service rules/conditions, this is to request all employees once again that they should not indulge themselves in such acts of violation.... Violations will invite administrative action.”

Sections of employees and faculty have been at loggerheads with Visva-Bharati vice-chanceller Bidyut Chakrabarty, who is considered close to the saffron camp.

“This directive takes the relationship to a new low,” said a teacher.

“If we have complaints against the VC, we have the legitimate right to write to the Chancellor (Prime Minister) or Visitor (President of India). The VC wants to take away this right and it is undemocratic,” the teacher added.

Calls and messages from this paper to officiating registrar Mahato and officiating PRO Anirban Sircar went unanswered.

A source in the varsity said the administration was facing “uncomfortable” questions from the Centre after a series of complaints had reached Delhi in recent months.