VKSU TEACHERS’ AND NON-TEACHING STAFF JOINT STRUGGLE FRONT HOLDS PROTEST AGAINST BRINGING COLLEGES UNDER DIRECT GOVERNMENT CONTROL

VKSU TEACHERS’ AND NON-TEACHING STAFF JOINT STRUGGLE FRONT HOLDS PROTEST AGAINST BRINGING COLLEGES UNDER DIRECT GOVERNMENT CONTROL

11-AUG-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------Under the banner of the Veer Kunwar Singh University Teachers' and Non-Teaching Staff Joint Struggle Front, a massive sit-in and demonstration was organized today in front of the administrative building at the new campus of Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara, to protest against the proposed new university Act. This agitation was held to oppose the new Act proposed to replace the existing Bihar University Act, 1976, and Patna University Act, 1976.

Hundreds of teachers from the university's constituent colleges and postgraduate departments, along with a large number of non-teaching staff from administrative departments, participated in the sit-in. The widespread solidarity shown by the teachers and non-teaching staff made it clear that no compromise regarding university autonomy would be accepted.

Addressing the gathering, VAKUTA President Prof. Chanchal Pandey and VAKUSTA President Prof. Diwakar Pandey jointly stated that the Bihar University Act, 1976, and the Patna University Act, 1976, have long safeguarded the democratic and autonomous nature of higher education institutions. Repealing these Acts to introduce the proposed new Act constitutes a direct assault on university autonomy. Under the proposed system, an attempt is being made to shift administrative control of colleges from the universities directly to the government, posing a serious threat to the democratic and academic character of higher education. This would increase government interference in administrative and financial decisions and adversely affect the academic environment of the universities.

Addressing the protest, former VAKUSTA President Prof. Vishwanath Chaudhary stated that any compromise on university autonomy is tantamount to plunging the future of higher education into darkness. He called upon teachers and non-teaching staff to remain united and continue a decisive struggle against this proposed legislation. VAKUTA Secretary Dr. Shashi Bhushan Rai stated in strong terms that while the government might cross all its limits, teachers and non-teaching staff would themselves determine the boundaries of their fight to safeguard the university's autonomy. He stated, "If the government does not withdraw the proposed bill, the association and the Joint Front will escalate this struggle, making it broader and decisive, and will not rest until the bill is withdrawn."

WAKUTA Treasurer Dr. Anand Bhushan Pandey commended the unity of all teachers and non-teaching staff and voiced opposition to the proposed bill.

Non-teaching staff President Mr. Shashiranjan (alias Guddu) vehemently opposed the proposed bill and urged everyone to stand united in the fight.

Bhojpur District President Dr. Khushbu Kumari, while conducting the proceedings, called upon all teachers and non-teaching staff to unite and fight against the proposed bill.

Dr. Santosh Kumar, Secretary of Sachchidanand College, stated that no provision undermining the autonomy of universities and colleges would be accepted. He urged the government to respect the sentiments of teachers and staff and immediately withdraw the proposed act.

Meanwhile, WAKUSTA Vice-President Dr. Lakshmi Kumari, along with Postgraduate Teachers' Association President Dr. Amit Kumar and Secretary Dr. Aamir Mahmood, asserted that there would be no compromise regarding the rights, dignity, and job security of teachers and non-teaching staff. They demanded immediate, concrete action from the Raj Bhavan and the state government to preserve the dignity and autonomy of the universities.

Other speakers addressing the protest also expressed serious concern over various provisions of the proposed act, arguing that instead of bringing universities under government control, they should be empowered and made more autonomous in academic and administrative matters.

Key Demands of the Front:

The Bihar University Act, 1976, and the Patna University Act, 1976, should be maintained in their current form.

Administrative control of colleges should remain under the universities, and the proposal to place them directly under government control should be immediately withdrawn.

The new proposed act, which compromises university autonomy, should be completely scrapped.

Pending demands and salary anomalies concerning teachers of constituent units and postgraduate departments, as well as non-teaching staff (including administrative departments), should be resolved promptly.

At the conclusion of the protest, representatives of the Front... A memorandum addressed to the Honorable Governor-cum-Chancellor and the Chief Minister was submitted to the university administration.

At the conclusion of the event, Prof. Niyaz Hussain proposed a vote of thanks. Expressing gratitude to all the teachers, non-teaching staff, office-bearers of various teachers' associations, and colleagues present, he stated that today's unprecedented, united demonstration stands as a testament to the commitment of the teaching and non-teaching communities to safeguarding the university's autonomy.

The alliance made it clear that the agitation would continue in a phased and democratic manner until the government withdraws the proposed act that compromises university autonomy. At the conclusion of the meeting, all teaching and non-teaching staff paid tribute to the late teacher leader Prof. Kanhaiya Bahadur by observing a two-minute silence and recalling his contributions to the cause of teachers.