Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jul 22: Students of Bhandarkar’s Arts and Science College here boycotted their classes, demanding for reverting to the earlier college timings, and to withdraw suspension of a few students of the college, in addition to the settlement of old pending issues, on Wednesday July 21.

The college management had modified the beginning time of the morning session of the college to 9.25 am, as a few certificate courses in technical education have been started in its premises. The students had been protesting against the changed timing, claiming that students coming from far off villages have been facing difficulties in reaching the college on time, and demanding for reverting to the earlier timing. On Tuesday July 20, 48 students were suspended from the college for indiscipline, through a notice displayed in the notice board. The students, angered by this development, intensified their protest and raised slogans, standing in heavy rains till evening.

In the afternoon, administrative officer of the college, Dr H Shantaram, principal, Doma Chandrashekhar, president of the Old Students Association of the college, Rajesh Kundapur, former managing trustee of Kollur temple, Krishnaprasad Adyantaya, local leaders etc., met in the college premises and held talks with the leaders of the protesting students till evening. Even though all the problems could not be sorted out, in principle, it was agreed to change the beginning time of the college to 9.30 am, and to continue the present policy on wearing of uniforms.

As the students were not agreeable to the offer of the college management to revoke suspensions of the students only after they approach the principal along with their parents, the discussions remained inconclusive. The policemen provided security at the college premises under the leadership of inspector, Madan G Gaonkar. The college management has filed a complaint in the police station about some of its assets having been damaged during the protest.