The Hindu

Mangalore, Feb 27: Students, led by their union at the University College here boycotted classes on Friday, objecting to an English teacher participating in a protest and delivering a speech in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s here on Thursday.

They raised slogans against H. Pattabhirama Somayaji, the English teacher of the college, who had addressed a protest meeting, organised to oppose the proposed anti-cow slaughter Bill here on Thursday.

A few students told The Hindu that some students of the college, who were members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), forced students to attend classes.

President of the students’ union Ashwath said that the protest was led by the students’ union and not the ABVP. The union submitted a letter to Laxminarayana Bhat, principal of the college, which was signed by Manoj, secretary, and Sandeep, finance secretary, Mr. Ashwath and others.

The letter said according to the handbook of the college, students were barred from joining any organisation which was against the interests of the college. They contended that the same yardstick should be applied to Mr. Somayaji. Mr. Bhat told this correspondent that he would send a report to the university regarding the Friday’s incidents.