Kolkata: Considering the effect that suspension and expulsion could have on the academic career of the five expelled and nine suspended students of Aliah University, the executive council decided to give the students another chance to complete their academic courses. The suspended students can pursue their classes from July 2019, while the expelled students can only do so after the completion of one year, which is in September 2019,
During the press conference, vice-chancellor Md Ali said, “The expelled and suspended students had written to the University authority seeking forgiveness. They also requested that they be allowed to appear for the examination and complete their academic course. Following which they have been on a hunger strike since April 2. The members and academicians who were present during the urgent executive meeting were of the opinion that as the students of the university mostly come from an economically weak background, they could be allowed to appear for the examination and pursue their present course.”
However, he maintained that the students were repeat offenders, who have been excused on previous occasion, so the Council has imposed some restrictions along with some conditions like the expelled and suspended students submitting an affidavit from the High Court stating that would maintain discipline and not indulge in any form of violence within the university campus or disrupt academic activities.
Ali further requested the students to end their hunger strike and to concentrate on their education. And he added, “The expelled and suspended students will not get admission in the University for any other academic course as they are repeat offenders and have a poor academic record. Some of the students have as many as 21 supplementary papers to clear.”
But, the students who are on hunger strike, when contacted by eNewsroom, stressed that they were not keen on ending their protest. “We are minority students and if we won’t get admission in a minority University, then where will we go?” questioned Rakesh Sarkar one of the expelled students. On being asked about being a repeat offender and of having assaulted students and some quest faculty, he claimed to be a first-time offender and further accused the university of trying to blacklist them.
Meanwhile, one of the victims – Mansur Habibullah, a third-year Chemistry Honours student said, “We accept the University decision. But we would have been happy if they had not been allowed to enter the university premises. They all are repeat offenders and trouble makers. We are not making mere allegations, them assaulting me and other seniors who stood up against them trying to take complete control of the university mess to make extra money. The hunger strike is a way of making a comeback to the university and to gain control once again.”
