Thaindian News

Agra, Dec 23 (IANS) 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 thne 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.