Andaman & Nicobar Islands citizens stand with students
In first of its kind protest ever held, the citizens of Andaman and Nicobar Islands observed a day’s voluntary closure of civic amenities by keeping away from them, in support of the ongoing protest by students, who for past nine days have been demanding the Andaman and Nicobar Administration that ‘Deemed to be University’ should not be thrust on them and that they would like their medical, law and engineering colleges to remain affiliated by Pondicherry University, as it had been over the years.
Students protest against ‘Deemed to be University’ being thrust on them in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been seeking voluntary closure from citizens, which was a huge success.
Meanwhile, district administrations of South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman have issued orders under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, stating that the enforcement of a ‘bandh’ is unconstitutional and illegal as it negatively effects the fundamental rights of the people. It has been directed that no person, association, or organization will assemble in groups of five or more persons at any location to create civic unrest.
“We have not called for any ‘bandh’ as stated by the district administration,” informed the Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University.
“We have requested our supporters to observe voluntary closure, thus showing their concern and mutual support towards a democratic and non-violent protest being initiated by students for the benefit of locals who cannot afford to provide a quality education in lesser budget to their children. We have been getting tremendous public support from people from all walks of life, specially the family members of students and their well-wishers, which include almost 80 percent of citizens all over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, right from northernmost corner of Diglipur in Andaman to the southernmost corner of Indira Point in Great Nicobar Island, stated a member of Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University,” added the statement.
Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), Andaman Law College, Andaman College (ANCOL), Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT), Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE) and Mahatma Gandhi Government College (MGGC) are presently affiliated to Pondicherry University.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning is the proposed deemed to be university to be established in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by union Government. Students have raised concern over the increase in fees, and also affecting the recognition of degrees as compared to Pondicherry University.
The impact of the citizens’ voluntary closure on essential services and restricted movement of the general public, by and large, proved that they wholeheartedly supported the students. The streets were deserted, shops closed, auto rickshaws and buses didn’t find any passengers and Government offices didn’t have public presence, the entire day. However, Government offices functioned as usual.
To maintain peace and ensure smooth public movement, adequate police personnel and executive magistrates were deployed on strategic locations. While citizens who wished to carry on with their normal routine, including opening shops, conducting business and attending work, were free to do so, under the protection of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration who had assured full protection and support to all such individuals.
Supporting the establishing of the proposed deemed university in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the State Unit of the BJP expressed that the students will get ample livelihood opportunities in various sectors of the islands after successfully undergoing courses offered by the proposed deemed university. Many proposed projects will be creating jobs and the deemed university will prepare youth for employment within the territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
