The peaceful campus of the premier institution of Arunachal Pradesh, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) at Rono Hills near here was overwhelmed with slogans and witty banters once again as a large number of students took to the usually silent streets of the varsity on Monday.
The students took out a peaceful rally against non-appointment of a regular Vice Chancellor since December last.
The Rajiv Gandhi University Students’ Union (RGUSU) and Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars’ Forum (RGURSF) collaborated to protest against the delayed appointment of a regular VC with other appointments stranded in an unusual spot.
The agitating students shouted slogans like ‘We want regular VC’, ‘Nahi Chalega, Nahi Chalega, Joothe Waade Nahi Chalega’ (False promises will not be sold anymore), etc.
The protest was also aimed at pointing about the regularization of regular appointees for the office of the Registrar, Finance Officer, Controller of Examinations and Internal Audit Officer.
The union later submitted a letter to the Ministry of Human Resource Development through the office of the Acting Vice Chancellor which was immediately faxed to the office of Joint Secretary, MHRD, New Delhi.
Members from the apex students’ body of the State, All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) also took part in the protest rally.
Union general secretary Tobom Dai said, the issue cited by the RGUSU and RGURSF is related to the future of the university and the State as a whole.
“Such anomalies have deteriorated other higher educational institutions of the State,” he said.
Pledging AAPSU’s solidarity for the cause, Dai further said that the Government both at the State and Centre needs to act fast before any forms of rigorous democratic agitations takes place in the State.
Earlier, the students’ body from the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) agitated in a similar manner demanding a regular Director for the institution.
RGUSU president Giogi Aja informed that the concerned Ministry lacks conviction on looking at the university’s ground reality as observed from the prolonged delay. The student representative termed it as a step-fatherly treatment which is leading the university to an uncontrolled place.
RGUSU general secretary Vikash Dada reiterated the union’s stance against the negligence shown by the higher authority.
He informed that the protest is carried out with a sight for the future of the university. The students have been devoid of a well-functioning institution, he added.
“Today’s rally is just the beginning as we haven’t even involved the other stakeholders of the varsity. We do not wish to ruin the ambiance of this peaceful university. It is just that we need a full-fledged VC at the earliest. If the HRD Ministry fails to meet our demand we may proceed for further agitation movements, taking into confidence of all the stakeholders of the varsity,” Dada told reporters here on Monday.
Later in the evening, Dai, who had met Chief Minister Pema Khandu in this connection, informed over the phone that Khandu has taken serious note of the unfolding issue and gave assurance to take this matter with the MHRD.
Khandu has also written to HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar briefing the grievance explained by the AAPSU delegation asking the later to redress the grievance by appointing a visionary personality as Vice Chancellor of the University, on extreme priority.
With over 400 students and scholars participating in the peaceful procession, the rally began from the main gate, RGU and culminated at the Administrative block.