1 hr ago
Kolkata Law College Vice-Principal Claims Forced Resignation, Plans Return
Students at Surendranath Law College were protesting rules about attendance for semester exams.
The college initially said students needed at least 75% attendance to take the exams.
Some students said this could prevent many classmates from sitting for the exams.
They surrounded vice-principal Mohammad Tarannum’s office for about 23 hours.
Tarannum said the students forced her to resign.
She also said she was denied water, electricity and food during the protest.
Governing council chairman Kaustav Bagchi criticized her handling of the issue.
Tarannum said she would return to work on September 14.
Mohammad Tarannum said students forced her to resign after a 23-hour gherao over exam attendance rules.
Tarannum said she was denied water, electricity and food during the September 10-11 protest.
She said she would return to Surendranath Law College and resume duties on September 14.
The dispute began over a 75% attendance requirement, while students said the threshold was later set at 40%.
Students claimed about 600 of the college’s nearly 900 students could be barred from exams if the rule was strictly enforced.
- Who
- Mohammad Tarannum, students of Surendranath Law College and governing council chairman Kaustav Bagchi.
- What
- A dispute over exam attendance rules led to a student gherao, Tarannum’s resignation and her claim that she was forced to quit.
- Where
- Surendranath Law College in Kolkata.
- When
- The gherao took place from September 10 to 11; Tarannum resigned on September 11 and said she would return on September 14.
- Why
- Students opposed attendance requirements for appearing in semester exams, while Tarannum defended transparency and enforcement of eligibility rules.
Vice-principal’s account
Students’ and chairman’s account
Resignation and protest
Vice-principal’s account
Mohammad Tarannum said students forced her to write and send her resignation after surrounding her office for about 23 hours, and alleged that she was denied basic amenities.
Students’ and chairman’s account
The students organized the gherao to protest attendance requirements that they said could prevent many students from taking their exams.
Attendance policy
Vice-principal’s account
Tarannum said the college was enforcing minimum attendance standards and that she supported transparency in the examination system.
Students’ and chairman’s account
Students said the attendance rule remained unclear during form filling; they reported that the requirement was later set at 40% after an initial 75% standard.
Responsibility for the dispute
Vice-principal’s account
Tarannum alleged that governing council chairman Kaustav Bagchi was not supporting academic interests or discipline on attendance.
Students’ and chairman’s account
Bagchi accused Tarannum of creating an anti-student mechanism, while saying the 75% limit was logical but students were being pressured and needed an open dialogue.
Key facts
- College
- Surendranath Law College
- Vice-principal
- Mohammad Tarannum
- Initial attendance requirement
- At least 75% attendance
- Later threshold reported by students
- At least 40% attendance
- Duration of gherao
- About 23 hours
- Students potentially affected
- Around 600 of nearly 900 students
- Planned return
- September 14
Quotes
Mohammad Tarannum
Vice-principal of Surendranath Law College
“She has created an anti-student mechanism where those coming at early morning hours have to wait till noon as classes start much late. Yes, 75 per cent attendance mark limit is true and logical, but students are victimised and living under pressure for speaking out on issues.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
“I will come to the college as usual on Monday and enter my room to discharge my responsibilities. I was forced to write the resignation letter and send an email by those students who were barred from appearing in the semester exams for not meeting the attendance criteria.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
Sources
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