Study limited at Banglore University

Kumaran P | NT

In the last three years, Bangalore University (BU) situated in the Jnanabharathi campus, has become the favoured ground of protestors, what with various student union groups, some of them with political motives, regularly pegging tents here. The University staff, former vice chancellors and educationists alike are bewildered at what they believe is degeneration of the institution that till recently has been known as a respectable one. Going forward, they want its leadership to rein matters in and restore the peaceful atmosphere it once was known for.

The alarm bells struck nice and loud when reports revealed to those who wish well for the University that the police had to resort to a lathi charge to disperse two groups of students who went beyond the “peaceful” protest they had gathered for

had gathered for. It has dawned that one set of them was holding a protest in front of the main block of the BU condemning the district administration of Raichur for the “forceful removal” of a portrait of Dr BR Ambedkar at the flag-hoist ceremony on Republic Day. The other group of students had teamed up with the ABVP protesting over the delay in announcement of examination results and some evaluation issues.

It is said the former group got into the act first, so were allowed into the main building on priority. This did not go down well with the second group of which PhD and postgraduate students were a part. Their bigger grouse being that they were not even allowed through the main gate.

They confronted the University officials, demanding parity. “They demanded that a space be marked for them to protest in. They started a ruckus at the gate, which escalated to a point that the police had to intervene,” a student told News Trail.

Officials admitted that 25-30 protestors got hit in the police lathi charge, most of who had affiliations with the ABVP. Educationists say the turn of events came as a “surprise” to them, for the University had never seen this kind of unruliness for a long time. Professor MS Thimappa, former VC of BU, said, “We saw these kinds of protests several years ago, after which there was a welcome lull. Over the last two-three years, these unsavoury incidents have again begun to rear their ugly head. Leadership of the University should nip them in the bud. Student unions are bound to be there in universities and put forward demands. The VC must take up these issues and sort them out in double-quick time.”

“We need to run the University with a focus on academics. I must say that not too long back, we bagged Best University and UGC awards and many such for abiding by every policy decision of the Commission,” he added.

This is not the first time that protests have gone awry at the University. Every time the examination department in particular is accused of having made a mistake, students resort to a dharna and the VC buys time to solve the issue.

Commenting on the same, Professor Ramegowda, an academician who has spent a lifetime in several universities also said eral universities also said that the leadership plans an important role in handling these situations.

Ramegowda said, “I cannot comment on why protests have happened but I have read in newspapers over the last few days about the recent rumpus on the campus. The VC must meet these students, talk to them and take some time to sort out the matter, and seriously follow it up.”

ously follow it up.” “Whether it is an examination matter or one related to academics, the VC should interfere and resolve it. The government must be watchful of situations the VC is not able to address, and do so through the Ministry of Higher Education. At no cost should the VC shy away from such situations,” he added.

Even after the clashes and lathi charge by the police, the protests continued in the University. Professor KR Venugopal told News Trail “It was told News Trail, It was an unfortunate incident to have occurred on the campus. The two groups first got into a verbal spat, which spiralled out of control. We deeply regret the incident that could have been avoided with the right precautions. The problem is that no one informed us. Neither of them took permission to protest on the campus.”

“If students first send us their demands, we will give them a fair hearing. The issues may have been amicably resolved. We will not entertain protests, even those staged as constructive criticism,” he added.

As per sources in the University, the protests were initiated by some faculty members who don’t see eye with Professor KR Venugopal, whose tenure is to end soon. “This was done to add a black mark to his time here as the VC. So, there are some faculty and senior members of the and senior m