FYI
Gay rights forum seeks reinstatement of IIT don TNN, Jun 13, 2010, 05.01am IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Hyderabad/Gay-rights-forum-seeks-reinstatement-of-IIT-don/articleshow/6042475.cms HYDERABAD: Prathibimb, a city-based gay rights organisation has demanded that IIT-Hyderabad disclose the reason behind sacking of gay rights activist and senior academic Ashley Tellis. They also demanded that the institute reinstate him with an unconditional apology. Tellis was sacked over a month ago by IIT-Hyderabad. In a release here on Saturday, its members demanded that IIT "take Ashley Tellis back along with a promise not to intrude into the functioning of a teacher who conscientiously does his or her duty". The group also demanded an unconditionally apology and compensate for the damage caused to his reputation as a teacher. The press note also said that since freedom of expression is also freedom of sexual orientation, the homophobic attitude of the organisation is not acceptable. It expressed its outrage over the virulent homophobic attitude of those responsible for his dismissal without any consideration for his human rights. ***************************************** IIT Hyderabad Professor sacked for gay activism http://www.forestlaneshul.com/iit-hyderabad-professor-sacked-for-gay-activism-7429.html Posted: 13-Jun-10 in News India by Dubey A The management of Indian Institute of Technology (Hyderabad) sacked its faculty member and gay rights activist Ashley Tellis, disturbed by his gay activism. According to the sources, the academically excellent Tellis with over 20 year of teaching experience was sacked two weeks ago, a year after joining the institute. Sources say that Tellis was fired for his ‘unlawful behavior’ and ‘deviant mischief’. In February 2010, an Aligarh Muslim University Professor, Dr. SR Siras was sacked for being a closet gay. Tellis, who faced strong resistance at IIT the day he joined, has filed a Right to Information application seeking reasons for his termination. Tellis obtained his PhD from Cambridge University and has had a long teaching career. He was an Assistant Professor in the liberal arts department at IIT-H. A source stated that many groups within IIT were opposed to his recruited in the first place. Several faculty members had expressed their displeasure over his appointment. Tellis is a known voice in the gay rights movements across the nation. Although faculty members claim that students were annoyed by Tellis’s behavior in class, the students themselves have contradicted the claim, stating that he was one of the best teachers on campus and not at all intimidating or queer. It was the administration itself, which directed the students to ‘be careful’ with Tellis. His article on ‘man-boy love’ in a national daily is said to have caused turbulence in the administration, with students stating that faculty members asked questions about his behavior in class. Tellis’s teaching stints at Bombay University in 1991 and St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi were also littered with disturbances, with the academician quitting both his jobs. ******************************** IIT-H sacks gay activist Ashley Tellis Nikhila Henry, TNN, Jun 11, 2010, 12.36am IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/IIT-H-sacks-gay-activist-Ashley-Tellis/articleshow/6034644.cms HYDERABAD: In an AMU redux south of the Vindhyas, Indian Institute of Technology (Hyderabad) management sacked gay rights activist and faculty member Ashley Tellis, apparently discomfited by his sexual orientation. The academic, with around 20 years of experience, was shown the door last fortnight less than a year after joining IIT-H. Being on probation, Tellis's services were terminated summarily. However, reliable sources said he was asked to leave for his "unlawful behaviour" and "deviant mischief". IIT-Hyderabad director Uday Desai did not take calls and his office said he would be available only after June 21. It's learnt that Tellis's exit from IIT was being planned by the management ever since AMU's S R Siras was sacked for being gay in February this year. Tellis has filed a right to information (RTI) application seeking reasons behind his sudden termination and intends to have a face-off with IIT-H. Tellis was assistant professor with the liberal arts department and is a well-known voice in the gay rights movement in the country. A published author, Tellis has a PhD from Cambridge University and a long teaching career. He faced strong resistance at IIT-H from the day he joined. "Ashley's entry was controversial with several groups among IIT faculty not wanting him in. There was internal bickering and resistance right from the beginning," said a source. Prior to Tellis's appointment, several faculty members had objected to his appointment. "There were group mails sent against his appointment, asking the IIT director not to appoint him," a source said. Some faculty members blamed Tellis for being too candid in discussing gay issues on campus. His article on `man-boy' love in a national daily further ruffled feathers. "The institute has a humanities wing but it is meant for technical education. It was found that students were extremely annoyed with Tellis's behaviour," said a faculty member. However, a number of students disagreed with the faculty members. "He was one of the best teachers. Not many students had problems with him until the administration and other faculty members began asking questions about Tellis's behaviour in classroom," said a student. Students were even told to "be careful" with Tellis and "report abuse", the student said. When contacted, university authorities refused comment saying only the director was authorized to answer these questions. "Tellis is no longer with us. We do not know whether he was sacked or left on his own," said an official in the director's office. A scan of IIT-Hyderabad website revealed that Tellis's name has been deleted from the faculty list. Director in charge U V Varadaraju, when insisted upon by TOI, said, "Prof Desai is out of station." Sudheer Chella Rajan, HoD of Liberal Arts Department and Tellis's boss could not be reached despite attempts. Tellis's close associates said that this is not the first time he was targeted for being gay. He had complained of being forced to quit or being terminated for being articulate about gay rights even earlier. His stints at Bombay University, where he taught in 1991, and later at St Stephen's College, Delhi, too weren't pleasant for Tellis, and he quit both jobs. "Tellis was under constant pressure of being sacked even during his stint at English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad," said one of his associates. *********************************************** -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "lgbtdiscuss" group. To post to this group, send an email to lgbtdisc...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to lgbtdiscuss+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/lgbtdiscuss?hl=en-GB.
