NEERAJ

Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014, 10:07 IST | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
 Even if the Mumbai University is not changing its mind to revoke the suspension of the economics department professor, Neeraj Hatekar, his students are making efforts to ensure that they do not miss out on academics.

After requests from lots of students, Hatekar has decided to conduct sessions for the students free of cost. “Lots of students approached me to ask if I could at least have doubt-clearing sessions or teach them general concepts on economics. Since I am free now, I was more than happy to help,” said Hatekar.

The sessions will be conducted outside the Mumbai University’s Kalina Campus gate. “I am a teacher and all I want to do is teach. So, if they do not allow us on the campus, we will move our class just outside the campus but the teaching will not stop,” he said.

The session will be held every day from 3pm to 5pm.

Support for Hatekar has also poured in from economists and historians over the world. “Over 30 economists have issued a statement supporting Hatekar. The list includes Abhijit Bannerjee (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Jean Dreze (Allahabad University), Jagdish Bhagwati (Columbia University) and Arvind Panagariya (Columbia University),” said Ritu Dewan, director of the economics department.

However, the University of Mumbai Academic Staff Association, of which Hatekar was a former general secretary, has not come out in support.

After a few of the permanent teachers demanded for a meeting, BL Jadhav, president of this academic staff association replied in a letter, “The Association has not received copy of any sort of communication regarding any conflict between Dr. Hatekar and University Administration.

Therefore, the association could not take any stand on the issue of Dr Hatekar’s suspension.”

 

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