3 hrs ago
Hindi University Dispute Triggers Student Protests and FIR
Students at a Hindi-language university in Wardha have been protesting for about three months.
They want two departments moved back from Prayagraj to the main campus.
They also want PhD admissions and several language courses restarted.
Students say the department move has made studying difficult, especially for existing PhD scholars.
The university says moving the departments back would take time and calls some demands baseless.
On August 20, the university said protesters locked its gates and stopped the vice-chancellor’s vehicle.
Police then registered a case against six students.
The university has temporarily barred those students from campus while an inquiry takes place.
Police said the alleged offences are bailable and that the students were released after receiving notices.
Students at Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya have protested since July 3 over academic and administrative demands.
They want the Women Studies and Film Studies departments reopened in Wardha and PhD admissions resumed.
Students also seek the revival of discontinued diploma, certificate, and language programmes.
An FIR names six students after the university alleged that protesters locked gates and stopped the vice-chancellor’s vehicle.
The university barred the six from campus pending an independent inquiry, while police said the offences are bailable.
- Who
- Students and research scholars of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, the university administration, and Wardha police.
- What
- A three-month student protest over department relocations, frozen PhD admissions, and discontinued courses has led to an FIR against six students.
- Where
- Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya in Wardha, Maharashtra, with disputed departments located at its Prayagraj regional centre.
- When
- The protests began on July 3; the FIR was filed on August 20.
- Why
- Students seek the reopening of departments in Wardha, renewed PhD admissions, and restoration of language, diploma, and certificate programmes; the university alleges protesters obstructed officials and violated protest procedures.
Students and Supporters
University Administration
Department relocation
Students and Supporters
Students and faculty say shifting Women Studies and Film Studies to Prayagraj disrupted existing PhD students and left the regional centre without adequate facilities.
University Administration
The university says the move was made in the public interest to increase enrolment and that moving the departments back to Wardha would be lengthy because students have already been admitted in Prayagraj.
Academic demands
Students and Supporters
Students want both departments reopened in Wardha, PhD admissions restarted, and discontinued diploma, certificate, and language programmes revived.
University Administration
The vice-chancellor called some demands baseless and said PhD admissions would restart soon.
August 20 protest
Students and Supporters
Student supporters, including the Cockroach Janta Party, say requesting essential educational amenities should not be treated as a criminal activity.
University Administration
The university alleges that protesters locked all entry and exit gates, confined officials, stopped Vice-Chancellor Kumud Sharma’s vehicle, and lacked permission for the protest.
Key facts
- University
- Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, founded in 1997 as a Central University
- Protest start
- July 3, when more than 250 students signed a petition
- Departments shifted
- Women Studies and Film Studies were moved to the Prayagraj regional centre in 2022
- FIR charges
- Wrongful restraint, obstructing a public servant, and common intention
- Accused students
- Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Ramchandra, Niranjan Kumar, Rakesh Ahirwar, Rahul Kumar, and Shiv Pujan
- Campus action
- The six students or research scholars were barred from entering campus pending an independent inquiry
- Admissions
- PhD admissions were frozen for the 2022-23 academic year and were allowed to resume by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court in July
Quotes
Abhijeet Dipke
Convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party, which supported the protesting students
“Shifting departments back to Wardha would be a lengthy process as students have already been admitted in the new location.”
indianexpress.com
“The students are fighting for their Constitutional Right to Education.”
indianexpress.com
MGAHV administration
The university administration responding to the protest and disciplinary action
“The university’s Discipline Committee has recommended an independent inquiry, pending which six students/research scholars have been barred from entering the campus. The students will be given an opportunity to present their case.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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