Pic: Sphoorti Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (TU/CN)

Mangalore, Feb 4: The district committee of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) on Tuesday February 3, urged the Governor and chancellor of Mangalore University C Rameshwara Thakur, to take disciplinary action against ABVP activists of University College for conducting protests demanding action against a lecturer. 

Submitting a memorandum to the principal of the college, they said that Pattabiram Somayaji is a popular lecturer amongst the students of the college. He has full freedom to air his opinions about the happenings in the country and to participate in meetings, they said. But students of the college have no business protesting or disturbing the classes questioning his freedom, they alleged.

The memorandum also says that the primary duty of the students is education and building their character. The society expects intellectuals like teachers to participate in nation-building and in dealing with problems faced by the society. “When the entire civilized world has protested and demonstrated in support of the victims of the attack by Sri Rama Sena, there is absolutely no justification for the ABVP to open their mouths”, it said.

The PUCL also urged the Governor to root out political interference from college campuses.