Members of the students’ wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Monday met the authorities of a Kopar Khairane polytechnic institute and demanded that the teachers, whose alleged harassment had led a student to try to end his life, be suspended.
The management assured action against the guilty and that “further harassment will not take place”.
On February 4, Chandresh Solanki, 21, a third-year engineering student of Terna Polytechnic, had slashed his left wrist with a cutter. He claimed that the management had not allowed him to go on an industrial visit to Goa, which arranged by the institute, at the last minute. An industrial visit is worth 10 marks.
Solanki, who received 41 stitches on his left hand, claimed he was being harassed by his teachers and principal because he had complained to the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE), regarding some discrepancies in the management and lack of infrastructure.
“After my complaint, the board sent a team to investigate. After finding my complaints genuine, the team asked the management to improve infrastructure and provide more amenities.”
This upset the management, who then allegedly started harassing him. “This continued for several months, but on February 4, just as I was about to board the bus, they handed me a letter saying I could not go on the industrial visit as I had misbehaved with the staff and students.”
{{/usCountry}}This upset the management, who then allegedly started harassing him. “This continued for several months, but on February 4, just as I was about to board the bus, they handed me a letter saying I could not go on the industrial visit as I had misbehaved with the staff and students.”
{{/usCountry}}Gajanan Kale, MNVS general secretary, who met the college authorities, said: “We have received a written assurance from the college that he will be given marks for the industrial visit and action will be taken against the teachers by Friday.”
While the principal of the college was reported to be on leave, the head of department (engineering), who refused to be identified, did not make any comment.