The protest by farm sciences students against allowing private farm universities intensified on Monday with many students across the State boycotting examinations. The students are also demanding to close down Rai Technological University, a private university, located at Doddaballapur in Bengaluru.
Apart from students of Agriculture College at Karekere near Hassan around 400 students of the first and second year studying in University of Agriculture Sciences-Bangalore (UAS-B) and its constituent colleges boycotted their exams conducted by external examiners, scheduled on Monday. The UAS-B students assembled in front of the college and raised slogans demanding that the State government bring an amendment to the laws to stop private agriculture colleges. They also submitted a letter to the dean of the college about their decision to boycott the exams on the day. Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna also met the protesters and received their memorandum. He assured them that he would make attempts to resolve the issue.
UAS-B authorities said they were yet to chalk out a plan of action and decide the date of the examination. “The students have not yet informed us of when their protest would end,” a senior official of the university said.
Students said they would not end the protest unless action is taken against Rai Technological University .
Meanwhile, students said that the officials of the UAS-B sent messages to parents warning them that if the students continued their protest, the colleges would be closed.
Students of the UAS-Dharwad and its managing board members have urged the State government not to allow private players. Speaking to presspersons in Dharwad, UASManaging Board member Ishwarchandra Hosamani alleged: “The Agriculture Department is not considering the degrees given to students from Rai university. This university is running the course illegally and should be immediately closed down.”
