‘External groups inciting students to target teachers on religious grounds’: Women activists urge Collector to act

The forum’s fact finding committee that had gathered information about recent cases at prominent colleges in Kolhapur and Sangli between June and August 2023 said these were not isolated occurrences. “They are predetermined, and have a pattern of direct intervention by external elements in educational institutions. There is a deliberate attempt to create tension and rifts on religious lines among students, their parents and general citizens by targeting educational institutions,” Dr Megha Pansare, Assistant Professor at Shivaji University and daughter in law of Govind Pansare, socialist leader who was shot dead in Kolhapur eight years ago, told The Indian Express.

Highlighting several instances, the activists have demanded an independent committee be appointed to conduct an impartial inquiry into these incidents. “Since June 2023, many women working in the education sector have fallen prey to the politics of pressure incited by external forces in schools and colleges in Kolhapur-Sangli-Satara districts, which are in the jurisdiction of Shivaji University. Through this forum, women activists are expressing anger and distress by holding silent protests to demand peace and justice against hatred and injustice,” Meena Seshu, a well known social activist, told The Indian Express.

The report claims that in educational institutions, the main intention is to create pressure on the management. “Many teachers are sent on forced leave or transferred under pressure without due process or even a simple inquiry. The teachers/ administrations concerned opine that the disquiet and unease is being created in view of next year’s general elections,” said social activist Rehana Mursal, a member of the core committee of the forum.

Tanuja Shipurkar from Mahila Dakshata Samithi along with Pranita Mali and several other forum members have demanded an independent committee be appointed to conduct an impartial inquiry into these incidents. “We have also demanded that a helpline be set up to respond to complaints and reach out immediately to affected parties in case of such incidents,” Seshu of SANGRAM organisation said.

“Keeping in mind the larger goal of maintaining social harmony, management of educational institutions, teachers, students and parents should be invited for a thorough discussion on this issue and guidelines to deal with such incidents should be evolved,” Pansare from the Shramik Foundation said.