|
Agra: Over three
months of protests by student unions against the "inefficient
management" of Agra University turned more intense after some
agitating female students were allegedly thrashed by the security
staff.
While teachers and students groups have demanded an independent
investigation into the incident, university vice chancellor D.N.
Jauhar told IANS, "It was planted... The whole issue has been
hyped by the media".
Protesting students, however, blame the vice chancellor for being
insensitive. "One girl fell and was unconscious for half an hour
as security people pulled and pushed people, using force," said
Ajay, a student leader.
Since Monday, when the incident took place, the university campus
has been in turmoil with protest marches, rallies and fasts.
Each day, agitating students have been coming up with innovative
methods of protest. Last week, donkeys and buffaloes were paraded
with name tags on the campus.
Ever since Jauhar took charge of the university a year back, he
has been entangled in one controversy or another.
From charges of mass copying, bungling in examinations, late
results, forged marksheets, leaked question papers, the list of
allegations against the university is indeed long.
With over 250 affiliated colleges from Noida to Lucknow and almost
three lakh students enrolled, the institution has failed to keep
pace with the changing times. "The university like the state of
Uttar Pradesh, must be split in several parts," says retired
teacher Ratan-ji.
Around 12,000 students are waiting for their marksheets or
results. Hundreds of students crowd university counters to get
marks changed or corrected.
"Till we get the corrected marksheets, how will we get admission
in the next class," asks Geeta of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha.
Students from RB Degree College have been agitating for the past
fortnight, demanding declaration of results. When a delegation
went to meet the vice chancellor, the members were forced out and
scolded.
The vice chancellor on his part says, "When I took over, the
university was in a total mess. I have been trying hard to restore
sanity and a degree of efficient working, but these things take
time."
"Students groups and other interest groups keep trying to build
pressure and get things done. I have stood my ground with
integrity and transparency. Conditions will improve, I am sure,"
he said.
|
Comments
|
Quick links