AMU relaxes attendance for this yr

The university took the decision after nearly 60 students,led by AMU student union leaders,created a ruckus on March 23,demanding relaxation for students who have not been allowed this year to appear in examination as their attendance was below 65 per cent. Their attendance was short even after getting 10 per cent relaxation on medical grounds. Five persons were injured in that incident of violence and stone pelting on campus. Agitated students had allegedly attacked the car of Vice-Chancellor Lt Gen (Retd) Zameer Uddin Shah.

“A 75 per cent attendance is compulsory for appearing in the annual examination. But university had been giving relaxations up to 10 per cent to those students who submitted medical certificates. Now that relaxation would not be given,” said AMU spokesperson Rahat Abrar.

The V-C on Thursday issued an open letter to students,stating that 75 per cent attendance will be compulsory from the next academic session and medical certificate will not be accepted. Shah said that he believed medical certificates in most cases were fake. He said that he had no objection to peaceful protests but blocking of roads and locking university gates will not be tolerated and students indulging in such illegal acts will be punished. He urged the students to keep the so-called “student netas” in check,or he will be compelled to use corrective measures which,being the guardian of the students,he did not want to use.

The V-C said that he had resolved not to order closure of AMU or permit police on the campus,unless things went absolutely out of control or life and property were threatened. Shah stated that his resolve had been tested by indiscipline of office bearers of the students’ union and there was an attempt to attack his car when he was leaving office on March 23.

The V-C lamented the “cowardly” behaviour that some students allegedly showed in the Kennedy Hall by shouting and blowing whistles in the dark and said such behaviour was seen in third-rate cinema halls. He urged students to observe proper decorum.

It was the second open letter of the V-C to students within a fortnight. In his letter on March 15,he had stated that a “katta” (country made pistol) culture was prevalent on the campus and unauthorised goondas were staying in the university halls.