SPPU seeks clarification as Army Law College students' protest enters 9th day
Students have been boycotting classes since Aug 8, and to minimise academic loss for juniors, seniors have said they are conducting classes for them.
Madhushree Joshi, principal, however, on Saturday denied all the charges.
According to the letter, reasons for the protest include appointing teachers without expertise in certain subjects, dissolution of the student council for voicing students' issues, public humiliation and mental harassment of students by the principal, discrimination based on parents' rank, failure to complete mandated lectures in a subject taught by the principal last year, and the adoption of anti-student policies in general.
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Parag Kalkar, pro-vice-chancellor of the university, said that after receiving the students' complaint letter, it was attached and sent to the college with instructions to resolve the issues and submit a compliance report immediately. "We have given them seven days to respond. If the reply is not satisfactory, further course of action will be decided," said Kalkar.
The students have also called for the reinstatement of the student council as an independent student body, free from interference by the administration; formation of an independent fact-finding commission with no links to SPPU or the current administration; constitution of a neutral grievance redressal committee; and financial transparency with public disclosure of details regarding NCC fees, hostel expenditures, and use of college funds.
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Army Law College, which started in July 2018, is governed and managed by the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) and exclusively admits children of army personnel. Offering five-year integrated courses in BBA LLB and BA LLB, it currently has approximately 377 students enrolled.
On the first day of the protest on Aug 8, police were called to the campus by college officials. Students said they had sent over 150 emails to AWES and also sent emails to the Bar Council of India and SPPU in the past two months.
It was because of no response from them that they resorted to boycotting classes, students said.
Despite a high-ranking official from the southern command visiting the institute and promising resolution of the student complaints, students are firm on their demand that they will stop their protest only after the principal is suspended. "At least order an inquiry and send her on administrative leave. If the entire student community is coming together against one person at the cost of our academic and future life, how can authorities turn a blind eye to our grievances?" asked a student.
Students accused the principal of mismanagement, suppression of student rights, discriminatory behaviour, and repeated mental harassment. "First-year students had no teacher for the accounting subject. Teacher with expertise in constitutional law was asked to teach international law. The training and placement officer was asked to teach finance and business communication. The principal taught us a subject named the Transfer of Property Act last year.
Out of the mandated 60 lectures, she completed only 25, and when we complained, she sent us audio lectures on WhatsApp. Who does that?" asked another student.
Other complaints by students include guest lectures focusing on religious beliefs rather than from experts in the law field; not providing last year's marksheet on time, hampering students' internship and other opportunities; asking students to compulsorily vacate the hostel during the one-week Diwali break, forcing them to book tickets during peak time when the tickets are costly and hard to get; cramming four students in rooms designed for three, etc.
Principal Joshi said that grievance mechanism as per UGC and AWES rules is functional in the college. "There is no academic mismanagement in the college. Students are being taught by faculty members as applicable and required. Appointment/nomination of student council is as per AWES rules in vogue. Points made regarding denial of authorised leave, discrimination based on rank of parents, misuse of college resources are incorrect.
Allegations regarding financial impropriety are incorrect and no specific case of financial irregularity has ever been brought out. Individuals in any appointment found tarnishing the reputation of the college will be held responsible. Deputy chairman interacted with students on Aug 12."
Suneel Mann, registrar of the college, could not be contacted for comments despite calls and messages.
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