Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Third-year students of College of Engineering and Agricultural Technology of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) boycotted their semester exams Sunday and sat on the protest against the rustication orders issued to two students by Vice-Chancellor Dr B S Dhillon.
Students of College of Agriculture also joined the protest but took the exams. The rustication order stated that the students “misbehaved” with senior officials during the Youth Festival Night on December 4 when Ludhiana police commissioner P S Umranangal was also one of the guests.
The order also names a third ‘student’ — reportedly a college graduate who was on the campus to attend the fest .
Meanwhile, protesting students said those who created ruckus belonged to some other group.
The students said the V-C had earlier also accused the students of being drunk without getting their medical check-up done.
In August 2013, the varsity saw a boycott of classes for two weeks after the V-C rusticated three students for being “drunk” and sleeping on the grounds through the night.
Authorities had alleged that it “defamed the varsity after a complaint was received from morning walkers”.
Students had then gone on hunger strike and the students were reinstated.
A student said, “Our exams started on December 31 but we are boycotting them. It is a protest for the rights of students. The V-C has accused students of being drunk and creating ruckus without any evidence.”
Jaskaran Mahal, head of engineering department, PAU meanwhile, said, “The action has been taken as per the recommendations of the disciplinary committee of PAU Youth Festival.”
