By Reeshika Sarkar A week after, the Presidency University in Kolkata sought opinion from students over a new “code of conduct” draft, the authorities withdrew it after opposition from students. Dean of Students (Presidency University) Arun Kumar Maity on Wednesday conveyed the students' outfits its latest decision, saying the “code of conduct” would not be enforced until the next general body meeting — the date for which has not yet been scheduled. “No new rules or code of conduct will be implemented, and the points of opposition mentioned in our report will not be implemented in the future,” Dean Maity told the students' groups, adding that the existing disciplinary committee has also been dissolved. Students had objected to provisions of the code of conduct, including seeking permission from the university authorities before organising rallies or meetings and prohibition on sharing audio and video recordings of campus activities with the media without “prior approval from the concerned authorities”. Expressing their concerns, students said the draft code was “restrictive and oppressive”. “Seeking permission for holding meetings and processions was unnecessary and hindered our ability to address grievances against the authorities,” the students said, citing instances when demonstrations were necessary to seek “legitimate rights”, such as the reopening of hostels. Maity, meanwhile, said that CCTVs on the campus would only be used for security purposes, and no additional surveillance would be carried out. Last week, the dean had shared a Google form of the draft of the ‘code of conduct’ with two students’ outfits — SFI and the IC – for seeking their opinion. While the authorities claimed that the code of conduct was aimed at upholding the standards of the university, the students highlighted the need for a “more inclusive and participatory process” in developing such policies. (Reeshika Sarkar is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)
