Prof Umeshchandra transferred, students end strike

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, January 29: The Mangalore University relieved Mr. Umeshchandra of his duties as faculty member of the MCJ department and appointed him as a special officer of the university’s Schedules Castes and Schedules Tribes Cell. This decision was taken after the Students’ Union called a university bandh on Thursday in support of the protesting MCJ students. The MCJ students called off their 11-day strike on Thursday as soon as the transfer of the lecturer was announced. 

 

K Chinnappa Gowda, the registrar of Mangalore University, said that the Syndicate had given 2 solutions to the problem. As per the first solution, the students would have to return to class and Mr. Umeshchandra would have to refrain from teaching till the Syndicate decided what to do about him. As per the second solution, Umeshchandra would have to be transferred. The students rejected the first solution as unacceptable to them and continued their hunger strike on Wednesday, following which the Students’ Union called for a bundh on Thursday. 

On Thursday, the Students’ Council of the University led a rastha roko programme, during which the protestors blocked the Konaje - Pavoor road in the morning. They withdrew their protest as soon as the university announced the transfer of Mr. Umeshchandra at noon. 

Santhosh Joachim, the student leader, said that the students will return to class on Friday.