Agitating students stay away, institute arranges massive security to avoid trouble
Agitating students stay away, institute arranges massive security to avoid trouble
What's in a name? Plenty, if you just have a look at the furore over the change of name of Delhi College of Engineering to Delhi Technical University. Matters came to a head on Monday, when a majority of the students boycotted the mid-semester examinations. 
Students of DTU protesting at India Gate aginst the conversion to state
university from central university. PIC/Pankaj Kumar
According to the students, the college authorities resorted to very strict tactics to ensure an event-free examination, but out of 3,500 Bachelor of Engineering students only 71 students appeared for the exams. To ensure against any disruption, Section 144 had been applied over night, from the college campus to Rithala Metro station, which prohibits assembly of five or more persons, holding of public meetings, and carrying of firearms. More than 500 policemen were deployed and were equipped with water canons near the college. But in the end, it was a no show as the students stayed away.
The protesting students are demanding the scrapping of the name change as well as cancellation of the suspension of two students who initiated the protest.
Ravi Shekhar, president of the student's union, and Nitin Baraiya are the two students who were rusticated by the college authorities after they played an active part in organising the demonstrations.
The students cite the anarchic rule of vice-Chancellor PB Sharma as another reason for their angst. "It is his personal agenda which is marring the goodwill of the institution," a student said.
"This clearly shows that a massive number of students are against the forceful conversion and have lost faith in the 20- year dictatorial rule of Prof PB Sharma," said Nitin Baraiya who was rusticated from the college.
Another second year student said, "We are raising our voice for the goodwill of the college. We are not criminals butu00a0 are being treated as criminals. This is our college and we should have right to move about and choose, but the management is being dictatorial. We will fight for justice andu00a0 have a strong support from our well-placed alumni."
Student representatives, Prof PB Sharma and other higher authorities had a long but unsuccessful meeting, to resolve the issue. The students said they were asked to compromise without any assurances.u00a0u00a0
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The official statement of the college said: "As far as the university is concerned, it had made all necessary arrangements for conducting of examination including security for those who were to appear. The authorities have appealed to the student leaders that they should call-off their agitation in the larger interest of the student community as non-appearance in exam and disruption of academic schedule adversely affects not only the reputation of the institute but also harms students' interest. This may also affect the 520 offers which have already been received by final year students for placements in reputed MNCs and industrial houses."
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