While many students and university administration have welcomed the decision of the district administration over the imposition of Section 144 of CrPC in and around the Barakatullah University (BU), students’ unions are fuming over the decision of district administration.
It may be mentioned that Department of Higher Education (DHE) had a written complaint to Bhopal district administration to take action, if required, against the increasing number of protests and agitations that carried out inside university premises which hampered academic activities.
District Collector Nishant Warwade imposed Section 144 of CrPC in BU after analysing the situation in the university. Under this Section more than 10 persons cannot assemble in a place.
Reacting on the decision, Mushtaq Siddiqui, who is pursuing a degree in law from the university department of law, told The Pioneer, “It is a good decision taken by the district administration. Earlier, every other day a rally or protest used to be organised here hampering our classes. Students are here for education and not for politics but still they are dragged into the protests and agitation.”
Surbhi Kushwah, who is also pursuing MSc Biotechnology, said after this step the university campus appears to be more serene. “Earlier whenever one visits Satya Bhavan, the administrative block of university, there were some protests or the other going on. On several occasions I had to return empty handed due to protests,” she said.
BU Registrar Sanjay Tiwari said that university administration had nothing to do with the decision of district administration as DHE has directly told district administration to take action.
ABVP organisational secretary Vijay Atwal said that ABVP always protested and fought for the welfare and rights of the students only. By imposing Section 144 the district administration has weakened students and has adversely affected their right to protest. ABVP will raise the issue with State Government for welfare of the students, he added.