The students of Assam University have been protesting against the decision of the university to conduct examinations in offline mode this semester since Monday.
On February 14, the University published a notice informing students about phase-wise re-opening of classes and offline schedule of semester exams. The next day, students blocked the gate to protest against the administration’s decision.
Hundreds of students have been gathered in front of the main gate of the University, demonstrating with placards and sloganeering since Monday.
Students raised concern that when classes were conducted in online mode for the whole semester, the exam should also follow the same mode.
“We want exam should be in same mode in which we took classes. From next semester we are ready to give offline exam with offline classes, but this semester it should be online. Our administration has gone head over heels for conducting offline exams. They are threatening us, calling our parents for this,” a protesting student said.
“The classes of this semester were conducted online and students did not have access to resource material and books. So, it is unfair for us to take exams offline,” claimed another final-year degree student.
According to the students, they have written repeated memorandums to the VC and the administration against offline exams and even proposed exams in blended mode. But in the absence of a student union, their voices remain unheard, they alleged.
Mizoram University gets projects worth Rs 60.31 crore
The university has appealed to the students to withdraw the demonstration, “as the normal administrative and academic activities of the University have been gravely jeopardized”, and sit for a discussion.
“It is earnestly appealed to the students to vacate the university gate to enable normal functioning of the University,” a notice dated February reads.
Further, the university has declared the ongoing protest “illegal” and asked the students to shift their demonstration elsewhere.
“In view of ongoing blockade of the University main gate by a group of students demanding … examination in online mode, the normal administrative and academic activities of the University have been gravely jeopardized. Hence, the blockade…is illegal,” another notice read.
This has irked the students further, who are in no mood to surrender now.
“How can demonstrating in a democratic country be illegal. They are trying to threaten us. We are protesting for four days, and instead of hearing our concerns, they are putting up warnings,” alleged another student.
As of now, the stalemate couldn’t be solved as both parties are adamant on their demands.
Also read | Gauhati University reschedules offline exams amid Covid surge