New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Kavita Singh’s leave application to attend an award ceremony was rejected by the university administration.

Kavita Singh, art historian, was awarded the prestigious Infosys Prize 2018 on Saturday, January 5.

On not being granted leave to attend the award ceremony, Kavita Singh stirred up a controversy by stating that things at the university are now “comically bad”.

In response to her allegations, the JNU administration has said that things have changed a bit now and it is well within the rights of the varsity to reject the duty and study leaves of the professors.

One of the JNU rectors told News 18, “Earlier, Jawaharlal Nehru University was not enforcing attendance rules. But things have changed a bit now. We have a leave and attendance rule based on the University Grants Commission. Teachers have to spend five hours in the classrooms. While casual and medical leaves are not rejected, duty and study leaves can be. As per the government of India rules, duty leave is not your right, it is a privilege.”

“If the academic wanted the leave, she could have informed earlier. In cases like these due process is followed,” added the JNU official.

Kavita Singh was awarded the prize for her extraordinary illuminating study of Mughal, Rajput and Deccan Art.

Singh had applied for leave on January 2, and only after landing in Bangalore she realised that her leave had been rejected. She collect the prize regardless.

Singh was one of the six people who were removed from their official administrative positions in November for raising their voice against the mandatory attendance rule for students. She is the Dean of Arts and Aesthetics at the university.