TU Guest Faculty Dr. Sumon Ali Seeks Recall of Discontinuation Order, Demands Fair Opportunity to Defend
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, October 6, 2026
Dr. Sumon Ali, Guest Faculty in the Department of Political Science at Tripura University, has submitted a detailed representation to Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University seeking withdrawal and recall of the memorandum dated October 1, 2026, by which his academic assignments, including classes and examinations, as well as his physical presence on the University campus, were discontinued with immediate effect.
In his representation dated October 4, Dr. Ali has denied the allegations of indecent or inappropriate behaviour reportedly raised by certain students of the Integrated Master’s Degree (IMD) programme and has sought a fair, impartial and lawful institutional inquiry. He has also requested that the specific allegations against him be formally communicated to him and that he be given a reasonable opportunity to submit a written defence and be heard before any final adverse action is taken.
According to Dr. Ali's representation, he came to know around 1 PM on October 1 that certain IMD students had reportedly submitted complaints against him and that a group of students was protesting in front of the Administrative Building of Tripura University.
He states that at that stage he had not received a copy of the complaint or any written notice setting out the allegations, particulars of the alleged incidents or the material on which the allegations were based.
The representation further states that shortly after he was verbally instructed by the Head of the Department of Political Science not to take IMD classes until further instructions, students participated in a protest and posters carrying his photograph were displayed at different locations on the University campus, including near his faculty room.
The posters, according to the representation, called for an independent and fair investigation, student safety and dignity, protection of students, transparency, accountability and due process. Dr. Ali has stated that he does not wish to make unsupported allegations against any individual and has requested that the identity of those involved in displaying the posters be objectively verified through CCTV footage and witness statements, if available.
The representation states that Dr. Ali was subsequently called to meet University authorities and attended a meeting with members of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), Students Grievance Redressal Committee and the Dean of Students' Welfare.
According to his account, the Committee members verbally informed him about the protest and allegations and sought his response. Dr. Ali states that he categorically denied the allegations communicated to him and maintained that he had always conducted his teaching responsibilities in a professional and academic manner.
He also stated that he was willing to provide a detailed response if the specific allegations were formally communicated to him in writing and expressed his willingness to cooperate with any fair, impartial and proper institutional inquiry.
October 1 Memorandum Discontinued Academic Assignments
A central issue raised in the representation is the memorandum issued by Tripura University on October 1, 2026.
According to Dr. Ali, the memorandum, bearing Memo No. F.TU/REG/MISC/01/2026, stated that complaints had been received from a section of IMD students and referred to the protest held earlier that day. It also referred to a meeting of the Joint Committee comprising the Students Grievance Redressal Committee and Internal Complaints Committee.
The memorandum, as reproduced in Dr. Ali's representation, stated that on the recommendation of the Joint Committee and in the interest of the student community, “all the academic assignments including classes, examinations and physical presence” of Dr. Sumon Ali were discontinued with immediate effect.
Dr. Ali has stated that he intends to comply with the University's written direction and does not wish to violate or disregard any administrative order. At the same time, he has argued that the order has serious implications for his professional position, academic responsibilities and reputation.
Raises Questions Over Timing and Due Process
One of the major arguments advanced in the representation concerns the speed with which the matter proceeded on October 1. Dr. Ali points out that the student protest, consideration of the matter by the University's committees and the issuance of the memorandum discontinuing his academic assignments all took place on the same day.
He argues that he was not given the specific allegations in writing before the adverse action was taken and therefore did not have a meaningful opportunity to prepare and submit a detailed defence.
The representation consequently raises concerns regarding the principles of natural justice, particularly the requirement that a person facing adverse action should ordinarily be informed of the allegations and provided a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Notably, Dr. Ali has also highlighted his long association with Tripura University. According to his representation, he served as an Academic Counselor at the Directorate of Distance Education during the 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic sessions and has served as Guest Faculty since 2018, including under different departments.
He has claimed that throughout this period he discharged his academic responsibilities sincerely and that he had not previously faced complaints concerning his conduct or behaviour.
Against this background, he has described the October 1 action as particularly serious and stated that he believes he should have been given an opportunity to know the precise allegations and respond to them before such adverse action was taken.
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