MD. TARIQUL ISLAM: adding a bio.

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{{Short description|Suicide of an Indian academic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Samarveer Singh
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 7 October 1990
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2023|04|26|1990|01|1}}
| death_place = [[New Delhi]]
| death_cause = [[Suicide]]
| alma_mater = [[Hindu College, Delhi|Hindu College]] ([[Master of Philosophy|MPhil]])
| occupation = [[Professor]] of [[Philosophy]]
| yearsactive =
| spouse =
| awards =
}}
'''Samarveer Singh''' was an Indian [[Academician|academic]] who worked as an [[assistant professor]] on [[Ad hoc|ad-hoc]] basis at the [[Hindu College, Delhi|Hindu College]] in the [[Delhi University]]. After working for seven years at the college, he was asked to vacate his position in February 2023 after an arbitrary and highly opaque '2-minute [[interview]]', replacing the permanent position with reportedly less-qualified applicants.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Beat |first=D. U. |date=2023-05-02 |title=DU Professor's Suicide Brings Ad-Hoc Crisis to Forefront |url=https://dubeat.com/2023/05/02/du-professors-suicide-brings-ad-hoc-crisis-to-forefront/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref> Described as being 'deeply distressed' about his family's [[Finance|financial]] situation after being removed from his job, Samarveer died by suicide on 26 April 2023. His suicide has since sparked the debate on the arbitrary selection process of the university and highlighted the [[Exploitation of labour|exploitation]] of ad-hoc [[Teacher|workers]] in India.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Hindu College Teacher's Suicide Highlights the Permanent Problem of DU's Ad-Hoc Arrangement |url=https://thewire.in/rights/du-college-ad-hoc-teachers-problems |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title=Former Hindu College Professor loses his life to suicide |url=https://dutoday.in/former-hindu-college-professor-loses-his-life-to-suicide/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=DU.today |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title='Institutional Murder' - As DU's Ad Hoc Faculty Loses Mass Job, Ex-Professor's Death Sparks Protest - Bharat Times |url=https://news.bharattimes.co.in/institutional-murder-as-dus-ad-hoc-faculty-loses-mass-job-ex-professors-death-sparks-protest/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-28 |title=The death of a teacher: Reflections on the politics in appointments of teachers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/death-teacher-reflections-politics-appointments-teachers-8580718/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Protest ==
The teacher's death has sparked outrage among [[student]]s, [[Activism|activists]], and [[teacher]]s who have accused the university of "institutional murder", alleging that he was driven to it as he was expecting to get permanent and instead lost his job.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Maktoob |date=2023-04-27 |title=Displaced Hindu College teacher's death prompts calls for protest against "institutional murder" |url=https://maktoobmedia.com/latest-news/displaced-hindu-college-teachers-death-prompts-calls-for-protest-against-institutional-murder/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Maktoob media |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Johny |first=Alenjith K. |title=33-year-old found dead, kin, former colleagues call it 'institutional murder' by DU |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/04/28/33-year-old-found-dead-kin-former-colleagues-call-it-institutional-murder-by-du |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Newslaundry|date=28 April 2023 }}</ref> They claimed that the university's decision to remove Samarveer from his job was callous and insensitive, and that it has put a strain on the [[mental health]] of many teachers.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |author=Scroll Staff |title=Protests in Delhi University as former ad-hoc teacher found hanging months after he was removed |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1048146/protests-in-delhi-university-as-former-ad-hoc-teacher-found-hanging-months-after-he-was-removed |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Scroll.in |date=27 April 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-04 |title=Delhi University ad hoc teacher suicide: Chronicle of a tragedy foretold |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/delhi-university-ad-hoc-teacher-suicide-chronicle-of-a-tragedy-foretold-8591129/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Students held a [[protest]] organized by the [[All India Students Association|All India Students' Association]] (AISA) demanding justice for Samarveer Singh, outside the Hindu College campus.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Tewari |first=Samridhi |date=2023-04-27 |title=Former DU ad hoc teacher found dead months after he was removed from job |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/former-du-ad-hoc-teacher-found-dead-months-after-he-was-removed-from-job/article66786626.ece |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title=Outrage Over 'Suicide' of Ad-Hoc Teacher Displaced From DU's Prestigious Hindu College |url=https://www.newsclick.in/outrage-over-suicide-ad-hoc-teacher-displaced-dus-prestigious-hindu-college |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=NewsClick |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title='Orchestrated Tragedy': DU students, teacher groups on displacement of ad hoc teachers; demand absorption |url=https://news.careers360.com/delhi-university-ad-hoc-teachers-displacement-orchestrated-tragedy-du-students-teacher-groups-demand-absorption |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=news.careers360.com |date=2 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tewari |first=Samridhi |date=2023-04-27 |title='Institutional murder': tragic incident shows plight of ad hoc teachers across DU colleges |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/institutional-murder-tragic-incident-shows-plight-of-ad-hoc-teachers-across-du-colleges/article66786674.ece |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Faculties and students expressed anger on [[social media]] after the incident. Student groups called for a protest on Thursday to mourn Samarveer's death and protest the university's actions. DU teachers wrote to the Delhi University Vice Chancellor demanding justice for the deceased lecturer.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-03 |title=Teachers' bodies to DU V-C: interviews unfair, absorb ad hoc faculty - Finnoexpert |url=https://finnoexpert.com/2023/05/03/teachers-bodies-to-du-v-c-interviews-unfair-absorb-ad-hoc-faculty/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi|Aam Aadmi Party]]'s teachers' wing Academic for Action and Development Delhi Teachers' Association (AADTA) has called a protest in North Campus.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Removed Recently From Hindu College Job, Ad-Hoc Teacher Found Dead |url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/removed-recently-from-hindu-college-job-ad-hoc-teacher-found-dead-3984006 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref name=":0"/> Students and teachers of Delhi University also held a [[press conference]] over "massive ongoing displacement" in the backdrop of the "institutional murder" of Samarveer Singh.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-02 |title=India News {{!}} DU Teachers Write to VC, Demand Justice for Former Ad Hoc Lecturer Who Died Last Week |url=https://www.latestly.com/agency-news/india-news-du-teachers-write-to-vc-demand-justice-for-former-ad-hoc-lecturer-who-died-last-week-5098849.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=LatestLY |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Workers Unity |date=2023-05-03 |title=Massive ongoing displacements in DU: An orchestrated tragedy, Teachers said in press conference |url=https://www.workersunity.com/india/massive-ongoing-displacements-in-du-an-orchestrated-tragedy-teachers-said-in-press-conference/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Workers Unity |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-28 |title=DU Students, Teachers Protest After Former Hindu College ad hoc Lecturer Dies by Suicide |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/education/du-students-teachers-protest-after-former-hindu-college-ad-hoc-lecturer-dies-by-suicide-article-99834981 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=TimesNow |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Prakash |first=Varsha |date=2023-05-05 |title=दिल्ली यूनिवर्सिटी की एडहॉक व्यवस्था पर सवाल करती है समरवीर सिंह की 'सांस्थानिक हत्या' |url=https://hindi.feminisminindia.com/2023/05/05/samarveer-singh-du-ad-hoc-death-by-suicide-hindi/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=फेमिनिज़म इन इंडिया |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The university has defended its decision, saying that it was forced to remove the ad hoc teachers due to financial constraints. However, critics say that the university has enough money to pay its teachers, but that it is simply unwilling to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=NewsDrum |title=DU teachers write to VC, demand justice for former ad hoc lecturer who died last week |url=https://www.newsdrum.in/national/du-teachers-write-to-vc-demand-justice-for-former-ad-hoc-lecturer-who-died-last-week |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=www.newsdrum.in |language=en}}</ref> [[Kapil Sibal]], in a tweet, said, "Suicide by: Former ad hoc teacher. New Education Policy? Is this the vision?" and called for putting an end to the [[phenomenon]] of having ad-hoc teachers and said the education profession should not be devalued.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Suicide' of DU teacher: Kapil Sibal calls for ending ad-hoc teacher phenomenon |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/suicide-of-du-teacher-kapil-sibal-calls-for-ending-ad-hoc-teacher-phenomenon |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2023-04-28 |title=Don't devalue teaching profession: Kapil Sibal calls for ending ad hoc teacher phenomenon |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/dont-devalue-teaching-profession-kapil-sibal-calls-for-ending-ad-hoc-teacher-phenomenon/article66788379.ece |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Monami Basu, a member of the [[Delhi University]] Academic Council, blamed the college principals for the tragic death in an [[Students' Federation of India|SFI]]-organized protest. She alleged that mass displacement was facilitated by the [[Principal (academia)|principals]] who adhered to the ruling party's diktats and failed to support [[Collegiality|colleagues]].<ref name=":8" />{{blockquote|"I am calling it an institutional [[murder]] because it was caused by failures of this inefficient system. People should know the circumstances in which teachers like Samarveer did so much hard work during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic]] and afterwards. They have been performing more hours than permanent teachers. He shared his lunch with faculty members for seven years, made huge emotional investment and was ousted from his job after a five-minute interview. Just imagine the [[Stress (biology)|stress]] that people with children working in ad hoc positions go through after such [[humiliation]]."<ref name=":8" />}}They demanded that the university should take action to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. The university has said that it is conducting an [[inquiry]] into the teacher's death. However, students and teachers are not satisfied with the university's response. They say that the university needs to do more to address the issue of job insecurity among ad-hoc teachers.<ref>{{Cite news |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512191057/https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-asian-age/20230428/281616719685072 |url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-asian-age/20230428/281616719685072 |title=Weeks after losing job, DU ad hoc teacher found dead |date=28 Apr 2023 |author=Supriya Singh |publisher=[[The Asian Age]] |language=en |access-date=22 July 2023 |via=[[PressReader]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=सिंह |first=प्रदीप |date=2023-05-02 |title=हिंदू कॉलेज: सांस्थानिक हत्या के शिकार हुए एडहॉक टीचर 'समरवीर', शिक्षक संगठनों ने की जांच की मांग |url=https://janchowk.com/pahlapanna/hindu-college-adhoc-teacher-samarveer-a-victim-of-institutional-murder/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Talking to a news group, Samarveer's cousin said that he was [[Depression (mood)|depressed]] after his removal from the college job.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Butani |first=Ashna |date=2023-04-27 |title=DU Ad-Hoc Teacher Suicide: Profs, Kin Claim He Was 'Distressed' Over Job Loss |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/education/delhi-university-hindu-college-ad-hoc-professor-suicide-tenure-not-extended |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref>{{blockquote|"He was perturbed by the fact that he had served in the college for seven years and someone else had taken his position because of his [[Political party|political affiliation]] to the [[ruling party]]. He would often repeat his predicament."}}

=== Ad-hoc policy and corruption ===
Samarveer's death highlighted the plight of ad-hoc teachers in India. There are an estimated 1.5 million ad hoc teachers in the country, who are employed on temporary contracts and are paid a pittance and do not have the same benefits as regular teachers.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Rohit |date=2023-05-04 |title=Samarveer Singh and the 'Double Tragedy' of India's Ad-Hoc Education System |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/samarveer-singh-and-the-double-tragedy-of-indias-ad-hoc-education-system |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref> Ad-hoc teachers are often hired on short-term contracts and are not guaranteed [[job security]] which can lead to stress, [[anxiety]], and depression. Moreover, multiple ad-hoc teachers have reportedly been dismissed after serving for several years due to brief interviews lasting only two minutes, as per allegations.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ad-hoc assistant professor at Delhi University: What does it entail? Here's an explainer |url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2023/apr/29/ad-hoc-assistant-professor-at-delhi-university-what-doesit-entail-heres-an-explainer-34963.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Edex Live |date=29 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-09 |title=A teacher's letter: Ad hocism and despair in the staff room |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-teachers-letter-ad-hocism-and-despair-in-the-staff-room-8598749/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

During March 2023, the [[Ministry of Education (India)|Indian Education Ministry]] informed the [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] that more than 6,000 teaching positions in [[Central university (India)|Central Universities]] across the nation are unfilled.<ref name=":0" /> Ironically, in the previous year, over 4,000 temporary teachers were recruited by these same Central Universities. Ad-hoc teachers cost less for Universities and governments as they are not entitled to benefits such as [[gratuity]], [[pension]], medical allowance, etc. States such as [[Uttar Pradesh]] have over 50% teacher vacancies, while [[Bihar]] has a low teacher-student ratio of 1:61 in higher education, the lowest in the country.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":3" />

Particularly, [[Delhi University]] colleges have long been concerned about 'connections' playing a bigger role than [[Meritocracy|merit]] or qualifications in job appointments, with the strength of a candidate's connections often deciding their fate.<ref name=":1" />

Shortage of funds is a common excuse given for the ad-hocism in place of proper-employment leading to poor education. However, in 2021–22, out of Rs. 93,224 crore budgeted for [[Education in India|education]] in the [[Union budget of India|Union Budget]], Rs. 36,657 crore went unutilized.<ref name=":10" />

Activists reported that experienced teachers were removed after brief [[interview]]s despite their [[Competence (human resources)|competence]] in teaching. The interview weightage increased from 20% to 100% after the UGC notification in 2018, resulting in a flawed system. Teaching experience and research are disregarded, thus creating an opportunity for corruption.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=John |first=Maya |date=2023-05-05 |title=Rampant Crisis in Delhi University: The Perils of Ad-hocism |url=https://www.thequint.com/opinion/delhi-university-ad-hoc-prof-removal-samarveer |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref>

The Chairperson of the [[National Assessment and Accreditation Council]] (NAAC) executive committee resigned in March 2023 alleging widespread irregularities and [[Corruption|manipulation]] of NAAC's verification and [[Grading in education|grading]] process by vested interests. The [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]] found discrepancies in NAAC's inspections and reports leading to inaccurate grades.<ref name=":10" />

== Personal life ==
Samarveer Singh hailed from Molki village in [[Baran district]] of [[Rajasthan]], and he shared a [[Apartment|flat]] in [[Delhi]] with his cousin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi: Former ad-hoc teacher at DU's Hindu College dies by suicide |url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2023/apr/27/delhi-former-ad-hoc-teacher-at-dus-hindu-college-dies-by-suicide-34923.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Edex Live |date=27 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He had done his [[Master's degree|masters]] at Hindu College itself, completing an [[Master of Philosophy|M.Phil.]] degree, and was further pursuing a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] from the Delhi University.<ref name=":0" /> He had been working as an ad-hoc assistant professor for seven years, teaching [[philosophy]] at [[Hindu College, Delhi|Hindu College]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" />

In February 2023, he was removed from his position after an arbitrary 2-minute interview following which a less-qualified candidate was appointed in his place, also disregarding his years of experience in teaching.<ref name=":9"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-28 |title=Ad hoc lecturer in Delhi University's Hindu College, removed after 6 years, dies by suicide |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ad-hoc-lecturer-in-delhi-universitys-hindu-college-removed-after-6-years-dies-by-suicide/articleshow/99827815.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Later, Samarveer was offered the role of a [[Visiting scholar|guest lecturer]] by the college after his removal from the ad-hoc position at the DU. Though he was yet to accept the position, he was called back to [[Hindu College, Delhi|Hindu College]] to continue at his ad-hoc position, hence he rejected the offer of guest-lectureship, also considering there being a significant difference in the salary of an ad hoc professor and the remuneration for guest lectureship.<ref name=":7" /> However, days after resuming his job, he was again disallowed, indicating gross mismanagement by the authorities.<ref name=":0" /> Aside from the financial difficulties for his family including aging parents, his mother had recently lost vision in an eye. This helpless situation he was pushed back into took a serious toll on his [[mental health]]. Another friend reported Samarveer had [[Depression (mood)|depression]]; and had stopped responding to calls and texts.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":9" />

=== Death ===
On the day of the incident, his cousin-flatmate was out and when he returned from work, he found that the front door was bolted shut from the inside. Despite repeated attempts to gain a response by ringing the [[doorbell]], no one answered.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title=Former Hindu College ad hoc lecturer dies by suicide in Delhi, students protest |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/former-hindu-college-ad-hoc-lecturer-suicide-students-protest-8578899/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Consequently, the police were alerted, and a mobile crime team was dispatched to force open the door. Unfortunately, Samarveer was discovered deceased inside.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-Adhoc Lecturer Hindu College Samarveer commits suicide |url=https://ummid.com/news/2023/april/27.04.2023/ex-adhoc-lecturer-hindu-college-samarveer-commits-suicide.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=ummid |language=en}}</ref> His body was found hanging by the [[ceiling fan]].<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" />

Despite no [[suicide note]] being discovered, DCP (Outer) Harendra K. Singh reported that Samarveer's cousin informed police that Samarveer had been struggling after losing his job. No evidence of foul play was found, and after the [[Autopsy|post-mortem]] at [[Jagjivan Ram|Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital]], his family claimed his body for the last rites to be done back home in Rajasthan.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Network |first=T. D. G. |date=2023-04-27 |title=Removed from job recently, Delhi University's ad-hoc teacher found dead at home |url=https://thedailyguardian.com/removed-from-job-recently-delhi-universitys-ad-hoc-teacher-found-dead-at-home/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Daily Guardian |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-27 |title=Hindu college ad-hoc lecturer found dead after losing job |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hindu-college-ad-hoc-lecturer-found-dead-after-losing-job/article66784245.ece |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.academia.edu/40051529/Ahimsa_and_Himsa_Fabrications_of_Mind_Seeking_Power_The_World_is_Consciously_Violent A Journey Within by Samarveer Singh (page 37) in DU Students' Philosophy Journal, 2011]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Samarveer}}
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:2023 suicides]]
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:Hindu College, Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:Indian academics]]
[[Category:People from Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Philosophy academics]]
[[Category:Suicides by hanging in India]]
[[Category:Suicides in India]]
[[Category:Male suicides]]

Suicide of Samarveer Singh - Revision history

MD. TARIQUL ISLAM: adding a bio.