Manipur University Students Protest, Demand Resignation of Vice-chancellor

Manipur University, a central university in Imphal, is in deep crisis as the students’ union has given a shutdown call, saying that they will not allow the varsity to function until the vice chancellor is removed. Following the call for shutdown, the university semester examinations, which were supposed to commence from June 6, have been postponed.

The agitation, spearheaded by Manipur University Students Union (MUSU), which started on May 30, saw a large number of students participating and demanding replacement of Vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey. Pandey was appointed as the VC in October 2016. The protesting students, a group of 400-500, locked the university gates and staged a protest in front of the VC’s office. Students were precise with their demands; they want nothing less than removal of the VC.

According to the students, the VC has hardly stayed in the university. “He is out of station most of the time, and he works for less than 10 days in a month. He is irregular and that is hampering the work in the University,” said Dayaman, MUSU president. The absence of the VC from the university has allegedly sabotaged the working of the university. The students also claimed that the VC has appointed various staff members without following the guidelines.

“The VC has not appointed regular registrar, librarian, examination controller and curator. He has appointed in-charges and they can’t work without VC’s permission, and then he is never in the university,” added Dayaman. The MUSU has called for a democratic protest inside the varsity; a signature campaign has been organised to reinforce their demands. “We have no intention to disrupt the functioning of the college, and that’s why we are protesting in a democratic manner. We are organising a signature campaign, and we are also going to take the matter to the higher level,” Dayaman told Newsclick.

However, no staff member has participated in the protest, although they have urged the VC to acknowledge the current crisis and to come up with a solution as soon as possible. Students believe that they have moral support of their professors. “Although the professors have not participated in the protest, they are morally supporting us,” MUSU president told Newsclick.

 Not my problem: VC

The call for indefinite strike in the Manipur University was not abrupt, but a result of long deliberations by the students who were disappointed when no action was taken even after they had put forth their problems in front of VC. “Whenever VC was in the university, we have met him and put forth our problems. He has always maintained that this is not his problem. If it’s not his problem, then whose problem is it?” asked Dayaman.

Meanwhile, students feel that their university has been misrepresented in the media. According to a student, who wanted to stay anonymous, after the protest, VC has been travelling in a bullet-proof car with Y security blanket. “Who gave him that security? And we are just protesting for our rights. What does a bullet-proof car with Y security blanket imply?” questioned the student.

As the protest continues, the VC has not come forth once to clarify his stance. Even Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA) have been trying their best to restore the normalcy. The university campus is in the state of ennui, while students are looking for democratic means to continue the protest. However, they maintain that they won’t budge until the VC is removed.