V-C harassment row: 9 students suspended

Vivekananda College for Women on Friday suspended nine students of 2nd year for one year for manhandling the vice chancellor of Calcutta University Sugata Marjit on April 5.

Sugata Marjit went to college to attend convocation when he was manhandled by some students. 

He described the incident as unfortunate and blamed the dearth of ideology in student politics.

The governing body of the college met on Friday and decided that 77 students, who were involved in the matter, would have to tender unconditional apologies. 

The college authorities had lodged a complaint with the Behala police station against the outsiders who created chaos at the college.

The students who did not qualify in the examination demanded that approval to sit for the examination which the college authorities did not allow. 

The Principal of the college categorically said that the disqualified students will not be allowed to sit for the examination.

Unsatisfied with the decision, some students shouted slogans against the decision. They called students from other colleges who also joined them.

The situation turned worse when students sat in front of the V-C’s vehicle, not allowing him to leave the college premises. 

In an attempt to pacify the agitated students, the V-C told them that it was the discretion of the college authorities to decide whether they should be allowed to sit for the examination or not.

Pressing their demands some students went near him and pushed him. 

The students were identified by deciphering the CCTV footage. The college authorities called the governing body meeting to decide the fate of the students. 

The authorities said that such steps had been taken as the girls had flouted the college discipline and if they were allowed to go scot free, it would create a bad precedent in the student community.