As examinations resume, only 50 out of 350 students appear
As the examinations resumed at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University (HAU) amid the ongoing agitation, the HAU authorities and protesting students came up with different numbers of the students who took the exam today.
The university spokesperson said that 350 students were scheduled to appear in the examination today. Out of them, 50 students took the exam and some of them reported medical reasons for their absence today. The spokesperson said that under the supervision of the district administration, examinations were conducted peacefully.
“Despite attempts by striking students to disrupt the exams, more than 50 students appeared for their scheduled papers. Moreover, over 100 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students marked their attendance in their respective departments and continued their research-related work,” informed the spokesperson.
The students — on the other hand — claimed that about 15 students had appeared in the examination today and stated that their agitation was getting support from the students not only in the HAU but across other universities as well.
Dr Rajbir Garg, Director of Research and Chairman of the committee formed to resolve the ongoing student protest, reiterated the university administration’s appeal to protesting students to participate in tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) examinations. He also warned the protesters not to obstruct any student from appearing in the exams, stating that such interference is illegal.
Garg claimed that the university administration has already accepted all student demands, rendering the continuation of the strike unjustified. He urged the protesting students to come forward for dialogue, asserting that any remaining issues could and should be resolved through open and constructive conversation.
“The administration is willing to listen with an open mind. Come forward, speak to the committee. Solutions will emerge through meaningful discussion,” he said.
Meanwhile, expressing distress over the alleged ignoring by the authorities, the agitated students wrote a formal plea to the President seeking permission for mass suicide, alleging unbearable harassment and police brutality under the tenure of Vice-Chancellor Baldev Raj Kamboj.
The letter, sent by students of the university, accuses the Vice-Chancellor of fostering a “dictatorial and oppressive environment” over the past four years, resulting in deep mental trauma among students. The recent use of force and alleged involvement of hired goons in a lathicharge on peacefully protesting students have intensified their anger. They reiterated their demands including removal of the VC, judicial inquiry into the incident of lathicharge, ensuring the safety of students and employees on campus, restoration of scholarship cut, withdrawal of FIR against students and suspension of all the officials and employees involved in the lathicharge.
Haryana Tribune