Amid tense scenes, a section of students at the Pondicherry University, began an indefinite siege at the gates of the institution on Monday demanding the ouster of Vice-Chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy for alleged misdemeanour, maladministration and human rights violations.
Over 1,000 students thronged the four gates of the University leading to the administrative campus at around 8 a.m. defying the Registrar's circular on Sunday warning of appropriate action against students, faculty and staff participating in the protest.
Through the day, several teachers and university vehicles were stranded at the entrance to the campus. Only Ph.D scholars attending interviews were permitted inside the campus.
The Pondicherry University Students Movement (PUSM) which is spearheading the strike, is also highlighting the acute shortage of hostel accommodation and withdrawal of various students' facilities in the campus.
Claiming that no new infrastructure had been added or created in the University for the last two years, PUSM alleged that the university was charging fees which were higher than those at any other Central university in the country.
Wi-Fi facility withdrawn
“The previous Vice-Chancellor made the whole campus Wi-Fi enabled. Instead of rectifying the glitches in Wi-Fi the present incumbent decided to withdraw the facility. This only shows the VC’s determination to take the university backwards,” said a spokesperson of the Pondicherry University Students Movement.
PUSM said that elections to the Student Council have also not been held so far. It has been the tactic of the VC to drag the Student Council elections to the end of the academic year so that the students will not have time to take up issues.
Apart from deploying a huge police posse at the University gates, a riot control vehicle was also stationed nearby on the ECR.
Pro-VC students try to enter campus
Trouble erupted when a section of pro-VC students attempted to enter the campus on their two-wheelers resulting in minor scuffles. Police swung canes to disperse the rival factions.
A few protestors sustained minor injuries in the melee.
Kalapet MLA P.M.L. Kalayanasundaram also held talks with the agitators to find an amicable solution. He said that the students protest seeking the removal of the VC was "justified", but the Ministry of Human Resources Development had to take a call on removing the V-C, he said.
At around 1.30 p.m. the Registrar in charge S. Pannirselvame held talks with the agitating students and asked them to permit senior faculties and vehicles inside the campus. On the students demand for removal of the VC, he said that the issue was sub-judice as the case was in the court.
However, the students refused to relent and indulged in sloganeering seeking the removal of the VC.
Theses withheld
The students claimed that the administration under the leadership of the VC had been unleashing terror against the voices of active students. Several PhD theses have been withheld for raising their voice. They should be despatched for evaluation immediately.
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising teaching and non-teaching staff associations extended their solidarity with the students protest. The indefinite siege ended at around 4.30 p.m. PUSM has made it clear that the students will abstain from classes and continue with the strike till their demands are met.
