SRFTI rusticates 6 students for assaulting VC, vandalising office

Kolkata: SRFTI on Thursday rusticated six students, one for assaulting vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera, and the others for vandalising the VC’s chamber.The decision to expel the six – Shubham Waydande, Aaron P Joy, Appu Soman, Abhilash B Nair, Nachiket Shashikant Pawar and Dhivahar M – was recommended at an emergency meeting of the Dean Council that was attended by 11 faculty members, representatives of departments and the registrar.The council observed that such acts of physical violence pose a grave threat to campus safety, institutional discipline, dignity and security of the institute. It recommended that the VC take immediate measures to ensure safety on campus and ensure continuity of academic activities.Students have refused to attend classes since a clash erupted between them and Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an RSS affiliate, on Sept 26. The situation deteriorated further on Oct 4 after Bongiya Hindu Jagaran Manch staged a protest outside the institute and allegedly assaulted some students.On Thursday morning, when the VC reached his chamber, he found the window panes shattered and furniture covered in glass shards. He immediately met faculty members and ordered installation of CCTV cameras in the corridor outside his office, triggering another round of protest by the students. Later, when the VC was on his way to the guest house for lunch, he was heckled and assaulted.Ajmera, who took charge as VC about 15 days ago, in a statement condemned the attack on his office and person, calling it “completely unacceptable”. “The attack was cowardly, extremely disturbing and unfortunate. It was an act unbecoming of students belonging to an institute of repute like SRFTI. The actions of few students have disturbed peace, order and normal academic activities at the institute,” he said.Security officer Prabir Kumar Munshi said obstruction of staff members began two days ago when students started demonstrations inside the administration building. He claimed the staffers had to leave the building with police escort.“We are registering an FIR against Shubham Waydande, vice-president of the students’ union, for physically assaulting the VC. He was earlier involved in a case where four biometric machines were found damaged,” Munshi said. The Dean Council viewed the current incident of assault on the VC in conjunction with his earlier pending proceedings as a matter of serious concern for campus safety.“What is the difference between students and outsiders if both resort to physical violence when they disagree with a view or a person? I am now feeling insecure about going to the campus,” said a faculty member. A female faculty member complained to the VC that on Wednesday, some 20 students “kept opening” her office door while shouting slogans.The student union claimed the allegations were completely fabricated and a clear attempt by the VC to install CCTV on the campus. “The students of SRFTI have employed strictly non-violent and peaceful tactics during our protest. We have not, and do not intend to, use violence as a tactic in our protest against our vice chancellor,” said a statement released by the students’ union.Two years back, SRFTI students had protested campus-wide surveillance saying they would be targeted for questioning administrative incompetence.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in KolkataStay updated with the latest Kolkata news. Download the TOI App.