Presidency students on 24-hour hunger strike

A group of Presidency University students on Thursday sat on a 24-hour hunger strike, seeking solution to various issues related to the prestigious institute.

“After a general body meeting of the students' union yesterday, it was decided to hold a symbolic 24-hour hunger strike to protest against the Chancellor's lack of response to the university's problems and demands of students,” Trisha Chanda, general secretary of the students’ union, said.

The strike by the group of 11 students began at 3 pm on Thursday and would end at 3 pm on Friday.

Trisha said they had submitted a deputation to Governor K N Tripathi, also the Chancellor of all state varsities, two weeks ago, but they haven't got any response so far.

Issues against which the students have been protesting include the recent transfer of 

a few teachers from Presidency, autonomy of the university, fairness of the admission test.

In a two-day referendum last month, a majority of Presidency students had expressed disappointment on various campus issues during Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia's tenure.

Last month, a group of students had gheraoed the VC in her office for 26 hours after the police allegedly assaulted them during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's visit to the campus.

Since then the students have been demanding Lohia’s resignation.