In an open letter to the students, the Vice Chancellor of Delhi Technological University (DTU) on Monday requested them to return to their classrooms.
Students of DTU have been boycotting classes since March 4 to protest the conversion of their institution from a college affiliated with
DU (then known as Delhi College of Engineering) to a state university.
To get students to give up their agitation, Vice Chancellor P.B. Sharma went to the extent of creating an emotional tug.
“This appeal, therefore, is to appeal to your conscience to visualise the damage being done to the repute of your alma mater by your continued agitation,” Sharma said in the letter.
DCE became DTU last year after a Bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly.
Disassociation with DU, students feel, could dilute its reputation and brand.
Dissenting voices grew loudest on March 4 when as many as 500 students of DTU for the very first time staged a public protest against the decision.
Two students were expelled by the varsity after that on grounds on indiscipline.
Calling agitators “uninformed insiders or outsiders”, Sharma claimed the university hasn’t received any official representation from the agitators which “could have formed the basis of a healthy dialogue.”
“We had approached the administration several times and they kept telling us that they are helpless and that we would have to approach the state government if we wanted this decision changed. So how can the V-C say that he or his staff was not approached earlier,” said a student on the conditions of anonymity.
The student strength in classes, according to Sharma, had improved marginally on Tuesday. “They should come back as this is affecting their attendance. We are open for a dialogue. But if they don’t they could be detained for shortage of attendance,” he said.