Students call off strike as varsity agrees to meet their demands
Bringing an end to the ongoing stalemate on the campus, the University of Jammu (JU) on Wednesday agreed to the protesting students’ demands, including revocation of suspension of the five pupils who were allegedly involved in violence on the campus on March 23.
The agitating students also gave it in writing that they would resume their classes from Thursday and there would be no further disruption to academic activity. However, a group of students have objected to the agreement and threatened to continue the stir till the university agrees to their demand of suspending the Dean, Students Welfare.
According to the university, the Negotiating Committee had a meeting with representatives of the striking students on the campus on Wednesday wherein it was unanimously concluded that the current agitation had taken a shape that was “extremely undesirable”. The meeting was chaired by the Dean, Research Studies (DRS).
“We have decided to immediately withdraw the suspension orders served on students following the incident in the office of DSW (Dean, Students Welfare) that caused damage to university property. This will not apply to those students who continue to forcibly disturb normal university activity,” said Prof RD Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University.
The VC said the striking students had given in writing that the current agitation would be withdrawn at once and all efforts would be made by the university to ensure that classes and office work were resumed without further disruption. He also disclosed that it had been agreed upon that the committee set up to investigate the protests and violence should be more broad-based and representatives of students would be included in the panel.
The VC, however, said they would turn to the police to avoid any disruption in academic activity as threatened by a group of students.
The student representatives who held negotiations with the university included Sunny Parihar, Nishant Gupta, Rishikesh Bhardwaj, Harshvardhan Singh and Divya Manhas. “The university has agreed to meet all our demands following which we have decided to call off our strike,” Nishant Gupta added.
Pertinently, students were demanding a 24-hour food kiosk, provision for computer printout facilities on the campus, installation of CCTVs for increased security, improved food quality in hostel messes, WiFi facility to all registered scholars and students.
Meanwhile, teaching and non-teaching work in the university remained suspended on Wednesday in view of the prevailing situation on the campus.
Issue resolved
The JU Negotiating Committee had a meeting with representatives of the striking students on the campus on Wednesday
“It is in the interest of the university that the agitation should be brought to an end as soon as possible,” the meeting resolved.
It was also agreed upon that the demands raised by the students with respect to the university infrastructure and facilities were legitimate and should be fulfilled at the earliest.
