Written by Vidisha Mathur
The protests by the Students of the Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, continued for a sixth day today, against the maladministration by the institution authorities and unfulfilled demands. Over 100 students are participating in a hunger strike since Thursday.
The issues protested by the students involve the payment of the annual dee installments and refund for the hostel fees taken while online classes were in session. Marks being revoked owing to insufficient attendance, bad living conditions in the hostels and the weak state of the Internship and Placement cell, and the absence of a Student Bar Council has spurred the students on further.
The students have moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court to challenge the fees charged to students who were not allowed to sit in their examinations due to attendance issues and remedial classes.
The students have also shown resentment toward the appointment of Jalaj Goantiya to the position of Registrar-in-charge; and have openly demanded the resignation of the Vice Chancellor Professor V Nagaraj, claiming that he misused his position to harass and oppress students during his tenure.
The protestors shared with the media that the university administration called the police on their peaceful protests and the Open house held by the Vice-Chancellor, though appeared as an olive branch, ended with the warning to let the police onto the students.
The Finance Committee and Executive Council, as well as the Academic and Executive Council, have been asked to consider and prepare a report regarding the demands of the students and what can be done. Assurances have been made by the institution to improve the infrastructure as well as sensitize the wardens against their sexist remarks. The students have been invited to suggest ways to better the Internship and Placement Committee, and the vice-chancellor has claimed that the Student Bar Council could not be constituted because of violence in the hostels.
He also contended that Jalaj Goantiya has been allotted Registrar-in-charge office for only an interim period. He also pointed out that his resignation is to be decided by the Chancellor and the High Court Judge.
