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Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Army Law College students continue to boycott lectures for 10 days, SPPU seeks report
Pune: Student protests at Army Law College entered the 10th day on Saturday, with over 350 students boycotting lectures and demanding the resignation of Principal Madhushree Joshi. The agitation, which began on August 8, has prompted Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) to step in. On August 13, the university issued a letter to the college, seeking a detailed response to the serious complaints raised. Pune, India - Feb. 22, 2018: Heritage walk organized at Savitribai Phule Pune University (Ananya Barua story) in Pune, India, on Thursday, February 22, 2018. (Photo by Ravindra Joshi/HT PHOTO) Principal Madhushree Joshi, however, maintained, 'We have received the university's letter. As an army institute, we comply with all rules. We need time to address the students' grievances and have informed the university accordingly.' Students have alleged declining academic standards, administrative lapses, and neglect of mental health issues. They submitted report to the university after the student council was called for discussions. One student said, 'When the principal called us to the auditorium and requested we stop protesting, she said she was focusing on the progress of the college. But we told her firmly that she should just resign because we do not want her anymore.' On Independence Day, students suspended protests and instead organised cultural programmes and a flag-hoisting ceremony without administrative support. Registrar Sunil Mann later informed them that the principal was willing to meet the students, but when she tried to interact, they refused to withdraw their demand for her resignation. 'We have been protesting for 10 days now with no response from the administration,' a student said. 'Our exams start on September 10, so we do not want to lose academic time. We are even teaching juniors in the library and sharing notes so they can prepare.' Students also alleged targeted harassment. According to them, emails sent to the principal about issues would result in those students being singled out. 'We started sending anonymous emails because she was targeting those who spoke up,' one student said. Another claimed the principal threatened to 'ruin careers' of those who complained. A student from Rajasthan alleged that parents were shown well-equipped classrooms during visits, but students were later shifted to inadequate facilities. 'When we questioned this, the principal started calling our parents and telling them we were undisciplined. How can we convince our parents when the principal herself is calling them with false reports?' the student asked. Students further said that free medical transport to Khadki Army Hospital has been discontinued, and they are now asked to pay for services at Dehu Army Hospital. Sports activities have also been restricted, with guards reportedly preventing students from playing. One student with an ear infection claimed she was denied leave and threatened with consequences. Other grievances include the suspension of the student council president last year and a notice outside the principal's office stating, 'No entry for students after 10 AM to 1 PM', effectively blocking access during lecture hours. Pro Vice-Chancellor Parag Kalkar said, 'We sent a letter to Army Law College on August 13, asking them to resolve the issue immediately. We expect a detailed report by Monday or Tuesday and will take appropriate action based on it. If the issue is not resolved, the university will intervene further.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SPPU seeks clarification as Army Law College students' protest enters 9th day
Pune: Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) sent a letter to the Army Law College on Thursday, asking them to clarify their position on the grievances raised by students. The students have alleged deteriorating academic, administrative, and mental health conditions in the college and have demanded the resignation of the principal. 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. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 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. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Students allege unresolved grievances: Police called to Army Law College Pune following ‘peaceful' student protest
Tensions rose on the campus of Army Law College (ALC) Pune on Friday after its authorities called in police, following a protest by students over unanswered grievances. The administration, led by principal Dr Madhushree Joshi and registrar Col. Suneel Mann, however said the protest was unnecessary, motivated by a few and entirely avoidable. Students, who described the protest as a peaceful one, called it their last resort following inaction from the Army Welfare Education Society's grievance mechanism. It started when the chairman of ALC Pune received a letter which detailed various allegations including academic mismanagement to harassment. In the letter, students alleged faculty members were forced to teach subjects outside their expertise. This included a constitutional law lecturer made to handle international law. Students of second year BBA LLB said they lost 40 days of finance classes when a faculty member resigned over contractual disputes. They alleged that instead of a finance expert, an advocate acquainted with the principal was brought in to fill the gap. Timetable confusions, dissolution of the statutory student council, denial of medical and academic leave, over crowding in the hostel and discrimination based on parents' military rank featured prominently in their complaints. They also complained of alleged financial non-transparency, with questions raised over the Rs 13,000 charged for NCC enrolment, cuts to the budget for flagship events, and misuse of college resources. Students said their repeated attempts to address these concerns were brushed aside. 'We were told the chairman had more important things to do,' a protestor claimed. Matters escalated on Friday when college authorities called police to the campus. Students alleged the move on the college's part was an intimidation tactic. 'The protest was a threat to my office, the college property was attempted to be harmed, and offices out of bound areas were encroached. For maintaining the safety of all ALC students and members and ensuring good order, the police were requested to visit the college,' Dr Joshi said. The principal rejected that the unrest was widespread and described it as being driven by 'a few motivated individuals' and reiterated that ALC's military heritage demands discipline. 'Neither was the protest expected nor required, as the ALC office is always open for discussion. The letter will be considered as per ALC's norms,' she said. She added that academics remained a priority, with students being called to the auditorium for dialogue and all classes continuing as per schedule. 'Dear students, maintain decorum and do not be influenced. We are performing our duties in your best interest. No indiscipline will be tolerated. We are always available to discuss any and every issue in a respectful and constructive manner,' When asked what would be her response to the students, Dr Joshi said, 'dear students, maintain decorum and do not be influenced. We are performing our duties in your best interest. No indiscipline will be tolerated. We are always available to discuss any and every issue in a respectful and constructive manner.' As of now there has been no formal response from the chairman's office. Students said if their demands, including reinstating the student council and replacing top administrators, are ignored, they will be prepared to continue registering their protest. (The author, Asmita Maini, is an intern with The Indian Express)
