SGU students withdraw stir

However, not all agitating students and their leaders are happy with the decision. They dub it as a conspiracy, similar to the one that ensured dislodging of Kapadia. They say they will continue to give agitational programmes.

The non-teaching staff, who are also supporting the students’ agitation, have not made their stand clear on the issue. While a majority of students had joined the strike, there was no teaching due to strike by teachers to press for their separate demands, a section led by National Students Union of India had opposed it.

The agitation had taken its toll on the administrative work affecting entrance examination and announcement of results, including that of F Y BCom. On Saturday evening, some Syndicate members and Shelat met the agitating students and convinced them that their agitation was affecting the administration and in turn students’ interests.

The students were told that the last date of issuing migration certificate — a necessary document for students seeking admission outside the state — was only a week away and further continuance of strike would cost many a student their career. Moreover, there was no point in running the agitation especially when Kapadia himself was against it.

Syndicate member professor Girish Rana denied that there was any pressure from top to ensure that the agitation was called off as it was proving to be an embarrassment for the state government. Incidentally, Rana — one of the four government nominees on the Syndicate — and others had offered to resign when the state government’s decision on Kapadia’s suspension was conveyed to them.

Rana told Express Newsline that their anger was against suspension, especially when Kapadia had sought time, but when his resignation was accepted their was no need to agitate.

“We can’t go against the decision of the state government, which appointed us in the first place,” he confessed. We asked the students to target individuals who have brought about Kapadia’s downfall, he stated. He claimed efforts to bring an end to the students’ agitation were on for the last three days.

The agitating students, while calling off talabandi have decided to continue agitation against “vested interests,” which are coming in way of the university’s development. They said representations would be made to Education Minister Anandiben Patel seeking action against these persons.

Students, who have accused Governor Anshuman Singh’s principal secretary Avinash Kumar — prompting him to issue a denial subsequently — of playing a major role in the entire episode, have sought a judicial inquiry against him for influencing the decision against Kapadia.

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