The Syndicate of the Mangalore University has “advised” agitating postgraduate students of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) Department to immediately withdraw their protest and return to their classes.
The Syndicate has also asked M.P Umeshchandra, against whom the students are protesting, to “refrain from taking classes” until a further decision is taken on the matter by it.
These decisions were taken at a special meeting of the Syndicate on Wednesday. The meeting was convened to discuss the situation arising out of the 10-day boycott of classes by the students demanding either expulsion or transfer of Mr. Umeshchandra. The special meeting was convened as a meeting called on January 23 failed to resolve the dispute.
The special meeting was called reportedly under pressure from MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who had supported the students’ cause, a Syndicate member told The Hindu.
In a statement, Registrar of the university K. Chinnappa Gowda said, “The Syndicate expressed disappointment and displeasure over the conduct of the students of the MCJ Department in not resuming classes in spite of repeated requests by members of the Syndicate…they are advised to immediately withdraw their agitation and return to their classes.”
It said: “The Syndicate directs Mr. Umeshchandra …to refrain from taking classes until further orders, and the university decides to make alternative arrangements for teaching the said subjects for the students until further decision of the Syndicate.”
While the leader of the students’ agitation, Santosh, said that the students were yet to decide on their course of action, district president of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkar Vada) S.P Ananada welcomed the Syndicate decision.
The DSS and other Dalit organisations have launched an agitation under the banner “D.K. District, SC/ST Organisations’ Federation” demanding action against the agitating students
