Students of Presidency College staged a sit-in protest for over four hours on Tuesday, demanding the release of the student council general secretary and nine other students who were arrested last week.
The students, who presented a ten-point demand to the principal, Paramananda Perumal, wanted the college to nullify the transfer certificates that had been issued to the arrested students.
“Some of the students were picked up from their homes over the weekend though they had nothing to do with the protest. After our protest, the general secretary has been released, but not the rest of them,” said one of the protesting students.
The students demanded the former principal, M. Mohammed Ibrahim — who was transferred on Friday for his alleged inaction in quelling violence in the college — be brought back. Their demands also included increased safety for the students by raising barbed wire on the walls, construction of an auditorium and provision of laptops for those who have not yet received it.
Prof. Perumal said he had forwarded the demands to the government. Since the issue of TCs had been decided by officials in the government, he said he could not take any decision on it. The certificates were issued to those who had assaulted a student and to the students who had tried to assault the principal.
“The college is affiliated to the University of Madras and the TCs were issued by it and forwarded to the students’ residence. Tuesday’s protests were instigated by members of student bodies outside the college. Once they were sent away, the protest petered out,” he said.
Classes will be held as usual on Wednesday, Prof. Perumal added, warning action would be taken against teachers who failed to conduct classes.
According to students, the council’s office-bearer was released later in the day.
