GORAKHPUR, Aug. 14 -- The stand-off between the Gorakhpur University Affiliated College Teachers' Association (Guacta) and authorities of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University (DDU) continued on Thursday with more than 200 university teachers rallying behind vice-chancellor Prof Poonam Tandon and demanding action against those allegedly involved in "indecent and undignified" behaviour with her during a protest on the campus on August 12. The teachers submitted a memorandum to an SDM of the district administration, seeking an impartial inquiry into the incident and legal/disciplinary action against those found responsible. According to the memorandum, teachers and office-bearers associated with Guacta allegedly misbehaved with the V-C during a protest over various demands and administrative issues. It was also alleged that an attempt was made to physically confront Tandon and that some teachers used objectionable language. Dean of student welfare Prof Ajay Shukla said: "The incident is extremely unfortunate. Dissent and protest are part of democratic system, but in an educational institution, every protest should be conducted in a democratic and dignified manner." The teachers further alleged that security personnel deployed for the V-C's security were also pushed and subjected to misbehaviour during the protest. They claimed that after some protesting teachers stood in front of Tandon's vehicle, the V-C had to walk to her official residence accompanied by university teachers. Pro-vice-chancellor Prof Shantanu Rastogi said such conduct was contrary to the dignity expected from members of the academic community and had tarnished image of university. University employees also submitted a memorandum in support of the teachers. They marched to the V-C's office and met Tandon to express their solidarity. A large number of retired teachers and former V-C's of the university also expressed their support for her. On Wednesday, Guacta teachers and their supporters, who were on the third day of their hunger strike at the university's administrative block, had allegedly blocked the V-C's car, prompting the university administration to approach the police. Affiliated college teachers launched the stir in support of their eight-point charter of demands. Guacta general secretary Ram Avtar Tripathi said the demands included granting research-centre status to PG colleges, clearing outstanding payments of degree college teachers and ensuring representation of affiliated college teachers on the university's decision-making committees. He said one of the key demands was the withdrawal of penalties imposed for the late deposit of students' fees into university accounts. University authorities imposed a penalty of Rs.42 lakh on MMM Degree College, Bhatpar, and a fine of Rs.12 lakh on BRD Degree College, Deoria. During the demonstration, the situation became tense as protesting degree college teachers sat and lay down in front of the vice-chancellor's vehicle, preventing it from moving. University officials subsequently informed police about the incident and sought action against those involved. htc...