The IITTA wrote to the Union Education Ministry in September, accusing the institute of “nepotism,” “arbitrary” recruitment, and other irregularities. It has also requested the ministry appoint a new director after V K Tewari’s tenure ends in January 2025.

In response to the IITTA’s allegations, the institute initiated disciplinary proceedings against its four office bearers, who were asked to substantiate their claims.

According to sources, the office bearers were asked to present documents within a week. However, they asked for one month’s time.

The institute claims the deadline extension was granted following a positive dialogue between the institute’s stakeholders and the IITTA office-bearers.

Tensions escalated in the institute after the registrar issued show-cause notices to 85 teachers, who signed a mass representation against disciplinary proceedings initiated against four IITTA office bearers.

The IITTA decided to launch protests against the institute through a hunger strike.

The IIT-KGP, meanwhile, questioned the motives of the 85 faculty members who signed the mass representation, claiming that they “aimed to intimidate” the administration and disrupt academic activities.

“The institute stands firm on its ground nullifying all the allegations. Among the 800+ faculty members, the intent of action of these 85 signatories is questioned in mobilising a mass representation to threaten the administration, propagating a collective hateful purpose, and disrupting the normal academic workflow of the institution without a definitive agenda,” read a statement issued by IIT KGP.

According to sources, out of 85, around 10-12 faculty members have withdrawn their names from the mass representation.