The Hindu

• Protesters lock classrooms in University College at Hampankatta
• Written explanation has been sought from the teacher: Minister
• SFI, DYFI threaten to launch counter-agitation

Mangalore, Feb 3: Students’ union of the University College here allegedly forced boycott of classes and locking of classrooms on Monday, protesting against certain statements of a lecturer over the recent pub attack.

This was the second time in a week that students are said to have forced boycott of classes. They had done so on January 29, demanding suspension of English lecturer Pattabhirama Somayaji, alleging that he had hurt the “Hindu sentiments” by referring to Sri Rama Sene as “Ravana Sene” for carrying out the pub attack.

The union had given time to the management till Monday to suspend Mr. Somayaji and when the demand was not fulfilled, they called for a strike on Monday. District in-charge Minister J. Krishna Palemar visited the college. The union members claimed that the Minister had promised to take “some action” against the lecturer in ten days. Mr. Palemar told The Hindu that he would ask for a written explanation from Mr. Somayaji. Vice-Chancellor of the university K.M. Kaveriappa also told The Hindu that Mr. Somayaji would be given a “chance to explain himself” before any action was taken.

Leader of the students’ union Shailesh Shetty, who also represents the Akhil Bharathiya Vidyarthi Parishat, said that Mr. Somayaji had again made certain comments hurting the Hindu sentiments further. Mr. Somayaji said that in the “Solidarity meeting” he had condemned the pub attacks. “Pub verses public is a hate manufactured by the sangh parivar,” he said and added that he had not been given any notice by the university to give an explanation in writing.

Some students belonging to the minority community told The Hindu that they were abused and “forced” to boycott classes by other students.

The strike called by ABVP has been condemned by student organisations such as Students Federation of India and Democratic Youth Federation of India. The district committee of DYFI, in a press release said, the strike was “instigated by political powers”. It threatened to launch counter protests if any action was taken against Mr. Somayaji.

Daijiworld Follow-up:

• Mangalore: Hindu Yuva Sena Demands an End to Pub Culture
• Madikeri: Pramod Mutalik in Hospital
• Students Request President Patil to Safeguard Constitutional Rights of Citizens
• Mangalore: Solidarity Meet Condemns Attack on Women
• Mangalore: ABVP Demands Administrative Control over Media
• Mangalore: ATS Sleuths Camp in City - Muthalik Handed to Police Custody
• Mangalore Pub Attack - National Commission for Women Recommends Punishment Under Article 307
• Mangalore: Pub Attack - Pramod Mutalik Remanded to Judicial Custody
• Mangalore pub attack: Karnataka CM to Discuss Ram Sena Ban with Cabinet
• Mangalore: City Police Arrest Muthalik in Davangere
• Mangalore Pub Attack, Media, Administration and the System
• Pramod Muthalik Apologises for Mangalore Pub Attack
• Ram Sena Chief Pramod Muthalik Arrested in Belgaum
• Mangalore: 'We did not Attack Girls' says Prasad Attavar
• Mangalore: Attack on Pub - Sena State Convener Prasad Attavar Arrested
• India Shamed and Shocked by Monsters of Mangalore : NDTV
• Mangalore: Attack on Pub - 13 Arrested, Two Sene Leaders Absconding
• Mangalore: ‘Preservers’ of Culture or Destroyers of Society?
• Mangalore: Outrage over Attack on Girls - Issue Gains National Attention
• Mangalore: Another Attack by Miscreants - Two Injured
• Mangalore: Miscreants Rough Up Customers at City Lounge