Students, teachers protest at IP varsity

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University's alleged lack of response has irked both its teachers and students, prompting mass demonstrations on the varsity campus over the past two weeks.

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University's alleged lack of response has irked both its teachers and students, prompting mass demonstrations on the varsity campus over the past two weeks.

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The students of the varsity's law faculty are protesting a year-old rule that requires at least 90% annual credits for promotion. This rule was allegedly used to detain 67 students who had low attendance. The detained students, who were refused admit cards a week before exams, claim that they had not been told that their attendances were low.

"The manner in which we have been detained is illegal. The dean of the law faculty has not followed rules," said a postgraduate student who wished to remain anonymous.

"The dean has misbehaved with teachers and students, threatening them with dire consequences if they spoke out against her. She also insulted and assaulted a teacher last week. We will not tolerate this behaviour," the student warned.

The vice-chancellor, DK Bandopadhyay, has set up a five-member committee to probe the incident. "If the students were not told in advance that their attendance was low, they will not be detained. The dean has informed me that the teachers did not submit the attendance records. If that was the case, the students should not be punished," he said.

The teachers are disgruntled with Bandopadhyay over his "uncommunicative attitude". "Bandopadhyay has not shown any interest in several academic issues. We and the students of various departments will protest outside his office to demand the removal of the dean and withdrawal of the detention orders," said a member of the varsity's teachers' association.