IT News
Imphal, July 15:
Students of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) have lodged a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), demanding an inquiry against the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar and seeking compensation of Rs. 100 crore. This action comes after a prolonged hunger strike, which began on July 9, 2024, as students called for the appointment of regular staff and key officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Examination Controller.
The students have also faced police action by the state government. Last week, the students who are part of the hunger strike were detained by the police only to be released letter.
In their complaint, it is raised that the 1st and 3rd semester examinations for MA and MSc, scheduled for December 2023, remain unconducted. The 3rd and 4th semester examinations for BA and BSc are also pending. The 3rd semester examinations for MA and MSc have not been held, and classes for the 4th semester have yet to start. Despite this, the university plans to conduct both the 3rd and 4th semester examinations for MA and MSc in August 2024.
The complain reads “due to gross negligence on the part of the authorities of Dhanamanjuri University, human rights of the students who appeared the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) are to be derogated and their future academic carriers are uncertain. Moreover, due to gross negligence on the part of university authorities, all the students of Dhanamanjuri University would lead to mental agony, shock, harassment and loss of one valuable academic year.”
Students argue that the state has an affirmative obligation to facilitate access to higher education, as stipulated by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which India is a party. The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, mandates the NHRC to inquire into complaints of human rights violations or negligence by public servants. The students contend that the administrative negligence at DMU has violated their human rights, jeopardized their future academic careers, and caused significant mental distress.
The students’ demands to the NHRC include directing the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of DMU to pay Rs. 1 lakh in compensation to each student, instructing the NHRC’s Investigation Division to conduct an inquiry to determine who is responsible for the students’ mental distress, harassment, and loss of an academic year, and any other actions deemed appropriate by the Commission to ensure the protection of the students’ human rights.
