Protests Erupt at RGNUL Over VC’s Alleged Misconduct, Students Demand Resignation

Chandigarh: Authorities at the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) in Punjab’s Patiala on Monday (September 23) shut down the campus till further notice after massive student protests erupted on Sunday evening over the alleged misbehaviour and inappropriate conduct of university Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Jai Shankar Singh.

Students alleged that his actions since joining the campus in March this year have not only had an adverse effect on the morale of students but also on the reputation of the university. Singh has denied all charges in his various media statements.

Despite the closure order, students were adamant on not leaving the campus and continued their protest. The students said that they will not end their protest until the VC is removed.

Earlier in the day, a special committee formed by the VC to reach out to protesting students failed to break the deadlock as students refused to hold any discussion with the campus authorities.

Several details have emerged in the representation jointly drafted by students which has been mailed to university authorities as well as handed over to VC when he briefly met the protesters today.

The students said that while there have been multiple instances of insensitive comments made by Singh towards students in the past, the immediate provocation of the protest was VC’s inspection of the girls’ hostel on Sunday morning.

Students alleged that VC entered the girls’ hostel premises without prior notice under the pretence of a routine check to inspect the functioning of the mess and to look into the issue of lack of accommodation for first year students.

Protesting students quoted university guidelines stating that the premises of the girls’ hostel are limited to female members of the RGNUL community, adding that even students’ parents are denied entry.

Students said they strongly condemned Singh’s actions.

According to the students’ written statement, Singh had not informed the hostel warden or students about any inspection and was not accompanied by any female faculty or guards until later, when they were eventually notified.

Singh allegedly entered the students’ rooms, who, being unaware of the visit, were faced with an uncomfortable situation. A student was allegedly questioned by the VC immediately after she had taken a shower, not giving her sufficient time to dress appropriately.

When another student questioned Singh about his visit, he said that the girls were like his daughters and that he was not misbehaving with them.

Students claimed that the VC strayed from the intended purpose of his visit by entering third-year students’ rooms instead of those of the first-years.

Singh also gave inappropriate remarks on the female students, ranging from comments on their clothing, personal activities and academic endeavours, the students said.

“The RGNUL student community strongly condemns the unacceptable violation of the privacy and dignity of the occupants of the girls’ hostel,” students stated in their draft, adding that the inspection could have been carried out by female staff.

Singh, however, defended himself by saying, to members of the media, that he went to the girls’ hostel to “identify students who smoke and drink alcohol after midnight as several complaints were pouring in”.

Protesting students list demands

Students claimed that since his appointment in March, there have been multiple instances of extremely insensitive and rude comments towards all the students of RGNUL.

“Agar aukaat nahi thi toh itne high-level university mei admission kyu liya? (If you do not have the financial capacity then why have you come to such a high-level university?),” Singh allegedly said to a student according to representation sent to university authorities,

“Tum jaise nalayak bacche apne pariwar ki aarthik sthiti jaan ke bhi itne high-level course mei admission lene aajate ho” (Good for nothing children like you take admission in such a high-level course even after being aware of the financial situation of your family)”, he allegedly said to another student.

Another statement from a female student quoted the VC as saying, “You are a girl; choose a topic like domestic violence or marriage and stay home to pursue the course. Why give her such a complicated topic? She is a girl; give her an easier topic.”

Students also alleged that, in recent weeks, faculty had raised concerns about the infringement on academic freedom resulting from the way the VC conducted classroom inspections.

“Through these inspections, the Hon’ble VC has disrupted the flow of learning, and made disparaging comments on the teaching methodologies adopted by the professors. All of this has contributed to a hostile atmosphere of learning.

“While the student community acknowledges that the VC has the prerogative to conduct checks on ongoing classes, the method adopted was more disruptive than constructive. This is evidenced by the concerns raised by the professors in a series of emails in recent times,” the students’ statement said.

Students alleged that, during his interactions, Singh demeaned their career choices and even their note-taking methods. He also purportedly discouraged them from applying for internships, preparing for competitions, working at university-affiliated centres, or engaging in any other co-curricular activities.

The RGNUL student community demanded immediate resignation and an unconditional apology, in writing, by the VC.

Students also demanded the RGNUL Student Bar Association’s constitution, according to the terms of a mutual agreement signed on March 19, 2019, with immediate effect, to address the persisting and future concerns of the RGNUL student community.

They also demanded the constitution of an internal complaints committee to take appropriate actions regarding the aforementioned concerns.