Students apologise for blocking varsity gates, suspension revoked

Kolkata: Presidency University on Thursday evening lifted its suspension order on three students after agitating students begged pardon for their action of blocking the university main gate on September 10, 2018, preventing university officials as well as teachers from entering the varsity campus.

The university formed an inquiry committee and on the basis of its recommendation had suspended three students for a period of six months and let go of another 18 students by warning. The students staged protest demonstrations from Saturday demanding revoke of the suspension order.

"They have admitted to their wrong doing and after discussing with the governing body we have withdrawn our suspension," said Vice-Chancellor of Anuradha Lohia while leaving the varsity campus.

The students lifted their gherao after they were communicated that the suspension has been revoked.

Earlier in the day, Lohia had said the university is ready to have a positive round of discussion with the agitating students if only they acknowledge that they had done wrong by putting the main gate of a public institution under lock and key, thereby stalling academic activities.

The agitating students started the movement from Tuesday night. V-C Lohia and other senior officials, who had come to the university on Wednesday, could leave the campus on Thursday evening after the students withdrew their movement.

The students had blocked the varsity gates in September 2018, demanding the handover of Hindu hostel. The inquiry committee had recommended of one year suspension for three students and six months suspension for another 18. However, the varsity had relaxed it in the interest of the students.

The three students who had been suspended were found to have actively taken part in blocking the gate. The agitating students claimed that it was a victory of their movement and denied seeking forgiveness for their action.

"The suspension was withdrawn based on discussions with the authorities. We had to start our movement because the university was delaying the handover of Hindu Hostel after renovation. We waited for three-and-half-years and the varsity went on missing deadlines," a student said.

It may be mentioned that the lockdown resulted in the university shifting its Convocation programme scheduled on September 11 from the university premises to Nandan

III auditorium.