Six days on, protest by law varsity students continues

The student protest at the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) entered their sixth day on Friday, with a low turnout reported in resumed classes. The students are calling for the removal of Vice-Chancellor Prof Jai Shankar Singh, accusing him of making inappropriate comments about their attire and entering the girls’ hostel without consent.

The protests, which began on September 22, have gained widespread attention, with the Punjab Women Commission chairperson, Raj Lali Gill, and several public figures, including Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, voicing their support for the students. The protesters expressed their gratitude to Gill for her efforts in seeking the VC’s removal.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Kirpal Singh Aulakh, also criticised Prof Jai Shankar Singh’s actions. In a public statement, Aulakh condemned the alleged raids on the girls’ hostel, calling them “immoral, inhuman, and illegal”. He emphasised that VCs should serve as role models and handle student concerns with care and respect, rather than resorting to such actions.

Aulakh recalled his own experience as Dean during a tumultuous period in Punjab and highlighted the importance of treating students fairly. He argued that the VC’s behavior had led to a loss of trust among students and urged either the VC to step down voluntarily or the university’s Chancellor, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to remove him from his position.

As the protests continue, students remain firm on their demand for justice and a safer campus environment. Despite the resumption of classes, the future remains uncertain as pressure mounts on the administration to address the students’ grievances.