HNLU students on hunger strike demanding VC’s ouster; VC threatens to close down university

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 1: Students of Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) have gone on a hunger strike demanding Vice Chancellor’s resignation. The students have been protesting for nearly a week alleging several financial and administrative irregularities committed by the incumbent VC Prof Sukh Pal Singh.

On Saturday, a delegation of Student Bar Association also met the HNLU Chancellor, Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court A K Tripathi. The delegation submitted a six-page letter explaining their concerns and the reasons they no longer have any confidence in Prof Singh.

Earlier, the student body also sent a letter to the VC expressing no confidence in him. The association stated that there would no longer be any interaction between him and the students.

The students have alleged that Singh has been part of financial irregularities, lack of academic and administrative transparency, inaction against sexual harassment complaints, suppression of students and the student association. They have also alleged that the VC is arbitrarily recruiting and removing faculty members and is also indulged in favouritism.

In August this year, the Chhattisgarh High Court quashed the extension of tenure given to Prof. Sukhpal Singh. However, on September 20, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court and he was reinstated as the VC of HNLU.

Following his reappointment, a many as 800 students of the college signed a letter of no-confidence against him, highlighting his alleged irregularities and maladministration.

On the other hand, the VC has threatened to close down the varsity if students did not call off their protest. Singh in his letter wrote, “If the students do not call off the protest by the said date, the university shall be compelled to take the appropriate course of action, including the closure of the university to restore normalcy.”