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Stephen's protest over Church role

Published On : 24 Nov 2015


New Delhi, Nov. 23 (The Telegraph): The St Stephen's College staff association today protested against a proposal to amend the college constitution that would give its Supreme Council authority to veto the administrative decisions of the governing board.

At present, the six-member Supreme Council is a super-advisory body whose role is confined to ensuring that St Stephen's maintains its character as a Christian college under the Church of North India. It has no jurisdiction over the day-to-day administration of the college.

The principal of the college is, however, appointed by the Supreme Council and has to be a member of the Church of North India or of a church that is in communion with the Church of North India. The principal is a member of the council.


The governing body is the executive authority of St Stephen's College. It handles all administrative matters, including appointment of teachers through a selection panel and taking any disciplinary matters against them. It comprises 18 members, of whom nine are academics. The principal is one among the nine academic members.

Under the proposed amendment, the Supreme Council will have the power to veto any administrative decision taken by the governing board, which would imply that the council would have a big role in managing college affairs.

The amendment also proposes to change the composition of the governing body, which would have 19 members of whom only seven would be academics. That would imply that the board would have more representation from the Church.

There will be no change in the composition of the Supreme Council. It will continue to have six members. Headed by the bishop of the Delhi diocese, it would have two of the bishop's nominees of whom one would be a priest. It would also have one member appointed by the Church of North India Synodical Board of Higher Education, one appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education, and the principal of the college.

Nandita Narain, the president of the St Stephen's staff association, said the proposed amendment would give the Supreme Council overarching authority.

"The Supreme Council will control all administrative matters with the power to veto the decisions of the governing body. The governing body will also have fewer academic members," she said.

A university teacher said that, under the proposed amendment, principal Valson Thampu would continue to have control over college affairs even after his scheduled retirement on February 28 next year. This is because the proposed governing body includes Thampu as a founder-member by name.

"The principal wants to continue his grip over college affairs even after his retirement," the teacher claimed.

The staff association alleged the proposed amendment had not been discussed with teachers and appealed to the governing body not to take up the issue till it was debated by them. The governing board is likely to discuss the matter on November 30.

Thampu refused to give away much. He said: "The staff association has every right to protest. The governing board has not debated the issue. It will be highly improper on my part to discuss the matter with you."


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