E-Paper
LU shuts doors on offenders
FOLLOWING WIDESPREAD media criticism, Lucknow University (LU) officials have redefined the eligibility criteria for the candidates. Now students? leaders who have been suspended, expelled, caught for using unfair means or against whom FIR has been lodged by the LU would not be able to contest election. Even if the varsity had revoked suspension or expulsion order against any leader over a period of time, it would amount to their disqualification.
Finally, Lyngdoh report upheld in right spirit
FOLLOWING WIDESPREAD media criticism, Lucknow University (LU) officials have redefined the eligibility criteria for the candidates. Now students’ leaders who have been suspended, expelled, caught for using unfair means or against whom FIR has been lodged by the LU would not be able to contest election. Even if the varsity had revoked suspension or expulsion order against any leader over a period of time, it would amount to their disqualification.
Also, if the LU had issued warning to any student leader or even a simple punishment it would come under disciplinary action and would bar the candidate from contesting the poll. If a student has been held copying in the examination and if LU has cancelled that particular paper or barred him for one academic session, he would be barred from the election. Students with prima facie suspension too will have to sit out.
LU reiterated that it would stick to the Supreme Court interim order that says candidate will also not have been subject to any disciplinary action by the university authorities. Even fine imposed on student leader for breaching any rules and regulations would lead to disqualification from the LUSU poll. Besides these, the varsity has retained all other eligibility criteria fixed by the SC in its interim order that say the candidate shall not have a previous criminal record or should not have been tried or convicted of any criminal offence or misdemeanor.
LU administration has made these changes and redefined the eligibility criteria especially the one pertaining to “disciplinary action by university authorities” to ensure that the content and intent of the Lyngdoh panel report were not diluted. Varsity officials have said explicitly that even if a student leader has been expelled but the expulsion order has been suspended conditionally, he would not be able to contest the election.
Going by the new criteria, it can be said that all doors have been shut for the students’ leaders with criminal record to contest the election. Varsity administration is believed to have taken this decision following mass media criticism. The question is what stopped LU from taking the firm step earlier. Was it some teachers who are close to the students’ leaders who pressed for liberal interpretation of the SC order?
LU has made some other amendments in the eligibility criteria too. For instance, from next year candidates will have to obtain certificate of proof from their head of department testifying 75 per cent attendance. Also, date of birth would be considered as on July 1. This year, however, it would be as on the date of filing of nomination. All decisions were taken following heated arguments between a section of teachers close to student leaders and varsity officials.
Though LU V-C could not be contacted, sources said teachers entrusted with task to brief media about eligibility criteria had not done their homework, hence the message that went was that the varsity had diluted the SC order. There is no doubt the next few days may witness some rampant protest on the campus since the new clause would hit the interest of all prominent leaders.
