The leaders of various students’ groups in DAV (PG) College staged a demonstration at the college gate under the banner of College Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, demanding resignation of the college principal Devendra Bhasin for allegedly having failed to ensure basic amenities and to foster the right academic ambience in the college. The leaders also launched signature campaign regarding the same issue by way of pressuring the principal to quit.
It appears as if the student leaders in the College are exerting pressure on college principal Bhasin to follow last year’s admission process this year too on the basis of the first come first serve system and not to force admission on the basis of merit.
The students’ leaders seem to be in a fix on the issue as they cannot overtly oppose the High Court’s order that has directed admissions be done with merit being the only criterion. Hence, they have made the principal of the institution as the soft target to get things done according to their scheme of things.
The administration deployed adequate police force led by Dalanwala police station in-charge inspector Anil Joshi to avoid untoward incidents in view of the prevailing tension. A Fire tender was also stationed at the protest site as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, the leaders of various students’ groups reached the college campus and demonstrated shouting slogans against the college administration. However, their ire seemed focused on the college principal Bhasin.
Former College student union president Anshul Chawla alleged that the college buildings keep developing cracks. “The students are attending classes under the shadow of the fear that the parts of the buildings might come crashing down on them any time. The college management and the college principal seem to be sleeping on the danger dangling over the students. Besides, the principal is working on his plan to privatise the institution by stealth,” he said.
He further said very few students of Uttarakhand board will get admissions if merit be the made the only criterion. “This is because, the students of this board get lesser marks in their board examinations as compared to the students of other boards. No action has been taken for filling the vacant posts of teaching and non- teaching staff by the college management either. Given the sorry state of things, how can the Government ensure quality education in this collegeIJ” he asked.
Referring to the crumbling infrastructure in the institution, he said the students are being compelled to sit on seats that can hardly pass for chairs. “There is no facility of potable drinking water for the students and the teachers in the college. There is neither toilet facility nor a staff room for teaching staff members,” he stated, adding that the union will intensify its stir in the coming days unless their demands are addressed soon.
Meanwhile, some senior leaders representing the students, met the college principal Bhasinon on Saturday evening, but no conclusion was reached regarding implementation of High Court’s order on admissions in the college. Moreover, students’ leaders have decided to meet the Chief Minister soon to sort out the issue, it is learnt.