Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jan 28: The Students Union of Mangalore University has given a call for the University bandh today, taking the view that the decision taken at the university syndicate meeting held on Wednesday January 27 was not acceptable to the students, as it did not address the issues.
The students, who have been spearheading an agitation against one of the mass communications and journalism department lecturer, Umeshchandra, alleging that they have been facing mental torture and other problems from the lecturer, had also launched a hunger strike. However, due to the intervention of MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, and the decision of the University to hold another syndicate meeting on Wednesday, they had withdrawn their stir, warning that they would resume their agitation, if the syndicate failed to take proper action. The students have been demanding for the transfer of the lecturer in question.
The syndicate, at its meeting held at the senate hall on Wednesday, decided to restrain lecturer Umeshchandra from taking classes till the University takes further decision on the issue. The meeting also asked the students to withdraw their stir and attend the classes, promising that a lecturer would be provided in place of Umeshchandra till the issue is decided.
On Wednesday, the students resumed their hunger strike. In the meanwhile, the Union of Dakshina Kannada District Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Organizations held a protest in front of the University building, opposing the convening of the syndicate meeting at the behest of MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel.