PROTESTS MAR GOVERNOR’S EDUCATION DIALOGUE AT VKSU

PROTESTS MAR GOVERNOR’S EDUCATION DIALOGUE AT VKSU

18-JULY-ENG 10

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------The "Dialogue with Teachers and Students" program—hosted by the Governor-cum-Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, at Veer Kunwar Singh University (VKSU), Ara—concluded amidst unprecedented protests, uproar, and vandalism on the campus. While the Governor engaged with students, teachers, and research scholars, assuring them of reforms in higher education, various student organizations—alleging they had been excluded from the event—waved black flags and later stormed the administrative building to stage a protest.

This was the first such dialogue program held with the Governor at VKSU; however, the campus became a hotbed of tension immediately after the event concluded.

During the dialogue, the Governor remarked that universities are not merely institutions for awarding degrees but are centers of knowledge, research, innovation, and social transformation. He stated that lasting improvement in higher education is possible only when the experiences and suggestions of students and teachers are prioritized during policy formulation.

He sought suggestions from students regarding the library, examination system, digital resources, research, and infrastructure. He also discussed the New Education Policy, research culture, and academic quality with the faculty. The Governor assured that positive changes in the higher education sector would be visible within the next four to six months.

During the event, he paid floral tributes at the statue of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh, planted saplings on the campus, and viewed and appreciated paintings created by the students.

During the dialogue session, a delegation from the 'All Bihar Ph.D. Degree Holders and Research Scholars Association' met the Governor and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands.

The delegation was led by Kumud Patel. Accompanying him were Abhishek Mehta, Sushil Tiger, Piyush Kumar, Jyoti Kumar, and Ratnesh Kumar. The delegation raised issues concerning research scholars, PhD holders, and NET/JRF aspirants, while also demanding better research facilities, the resolution of pending matters, and the strengthening of the higher education system.

The Governor assured the delegation that their demands would be seriously considered.

Meanwhile, various student organizations at the university alleged that they had been seeking permission for days to meet the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, participate in the dialogue session, and submit a memorandum to the Governor, but they were denied entry.

The students argued that the voices of ordinary students were not included in the program, even though the very purpose of the dialogue was to listen to students' issues.

Their key demands included:

• Abolishing the mandatory 7.5 CGPA requirement.

• Providing a modern library facility at the university.

• Constructing a hostel.

• Aligning the maximum age limit for Assistant Professor recruitment with UGC norms (setting it at 55 years).

• Withdrawing the fee hikes for PhD and other courses.

After the program concluded, as the Governor was departing for Patna, student organizations present outside the university waved black flags at him.

According to eyewitnesses, a scuffle briefly broke out between security personnel and the protesters. However, the Governor's convoy managed to leave the premises amidst the security arrangements.

Shortly after the Governor left, the protest intensified. Agitated students reached the administrative building, broke down the main gate to enter, and began shouting slogans against the university administration. Acts of vandalism also took place on the campus during this time. The protesters staged a sit-in outside the Vice-Chancellor's office and continued chanting slogans for a long period. The student organizations argued that if students were not given an opportunity to voice their views during the "Education Dialogue," the event lost its very purpose.

The protesting students claimed that several university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, left the scene upon seeing the commotion escalate. However, this claim could not be independently verified. The police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

However, a significant number of security personnel were already deployed on the university campus, suggesting that the administration had anticipated the unrest.

The events of Friday presented two contrasting facets of the higher education system at VKSU. On one hand, the Governor was interacting with students, teachers, and research scholars, assuring them of improvements in the education system; a delegation of research scholars successfully conveyed their concerns directly to the Governor. On the other hand, several student organizations felt excluded from this dialogue process, and this dissatisfaction culminated in a protest. Following the vandalism, Roshan Kushwaha, the state representative of AISA, told *Patna Now* that after students occupied the Vice-Chancellor's (VC) chamber, the VC spoke to them and assured them that he would arrange a meeting with the Governor regarding their demands within the next five days.

Dialogue and protest unfolded simultaneously on the same campus. All eyes are now on how the demands of the student organizations and the... What further action is taken at the university administration and Raj Bhavan levels regarding the memorandum submitted by the students?