Also by Snehal Sawant Congress leader and Kasba Peth MLA Ravindra Dhangekar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare on Tuesday morning led a march to the Vice-Chancellor's office to protest against the alleged wrongdoings at the Savitribai Phule University (SPPU). The leaders said the university administration has tried to suppress the alleged case of 720 gram marijuana being found at a hostel inside the campus and said that activists of National Students Union of India (the Congress-linked students' body) and Students' Federation of India (students body linked to CPM) were being unjustly targeted by the university administration. Marijuana was found in hostel number 8 at SPPU on May 14 leading to a wave of protests from student organisations demanding immediate action. On May 15, preliminary action was taken by suspending a student who was found in possession of the marijuana. The student's identity has not been disclosed. The university promised to set up a fact-finding inquiry committee on May 27 to investigate the issue thoroughly. Speaking to mediapersons after holding deliberations with Vice-Chancellor Suresh Gosavi and registrar-in-charge Vijay Khare, Andhare wondered why no FIR was filed by the administration in the case of this alleged discovery of marijuana. “It's been 13 days since the discovery of ganja but no case has been registered. The administration told us that they had started the process and it is taking time. But can it take so long? Also, police have told us that they were informed about the incident only yesterday or today," said Andhare. Dhangekar said the police have cited rules that don't allow them to enter the campus without permission from the university administration. Dhangekar added, "The Vice-Chancellor is using his chair to do BJP's bidding. While BJP and organisations linked to it get a free run on the campus, workers of NSUI and SFI are unfairly targeted. Only recently the girls of SFI and NSUI were badly beaten and still the administration filed a case against them while the attackers went scot-free. This has to change. We have told them this peacefully but next time we will be more forceful." He said not only the person hoarding weed in the campus, but university officials who were trying to brush the issue under the carpet should also be punished. Yuva Sena led by city chief Ram Tharkude criticised the administration for its inaction and warned of further protests if no decisive steps are taken. "It is shameful to have such an incident in the university, which damages its image. However, no action has been taken. Therefore, it appears that the role of the university in this matter is doubtful,” Tharkude stated. He called for immediate police involvement to track down the drug suppliers and emphasised the need for vigilance to prevent drugs from entering the university premises and affiliated colleges. Tharkude also stressed the importance of student counselling and awareness campaigns to prevent drug abuse. Akshay Jain, state president of the Indian Youth Congress Media Cell, also expressed serious concerns. "Pune is known as an education hub. The discovery of ganja in the boys’ hostel of Pune University, which is known as the Oxford of the East, is a serious matter. For the last ten days, no action has been taken by the university authorities against the culprits,” Jain said. An SPPU official, speaking anonymously, had earlier suggested that the students involved are linked to a student organisation. The marijuana was reportedly kept in the security department to avoid damaging the university's reputation. The official noted that no decision had been taken by the SPPU administration in the past ten days. Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Parag Kalkar claimed no prior knowledge of the incident, while Registrar Dr Vijay Khare confirmed the formation of an inquiry committee. "We are going to form an inquiry committee for fact-finding. After getting the report, we will file a police complaint. I will not comment further," Khare stated.
