‘Constant scrutiny’: RGNUL Patiala VC’s hostel visit sparks protests, demand for resignation

NEW DELHI: Students of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) Patiala, Punjab, rose up in protest against the vice-chancellor Jai Shankar Singh after he allegedly entered the girls’ hostel mess and rooms without a female warden present on Sunday afternoon. The students alleged that this was a “breach” of their privacy and demanded the RGNUL VC’s resignation.

The students also alleged that they are subjected to “constant scrutiny” by the administration and that the VC had earlier commented on what female students wore and read on campus. “This is a breach of our privacy,” said a female second-year student from the campus.

“The administration has asked the students to come on board and raise their issues. Currently the talks are going on,” said Ishita Sharma, assistant professor in law and public relations officer, RGNUL.

RGNUL Protest: VC resignation

While Sunday’s hostel visit may have sparked the protest, discontent was already brewing among the students.

“We have had previous VCs and we don't expect something like this to happen in a national law university. The current VC has even shown displeasure at a student filling up an internship application; the student was asked to focus on academics only. How will students graduate if they don’t take up internships? The VC must apologise and resign immediately,” a student said.

Talking about Sunday’s incident, she stated, “Around 3pm yesterday, we got to know that the VC is in the girls hostel mess. He was enquiring about something when he called some first-year students. The students informed him about the lack of space in hostels as girls shared single-occupancy rooms. They also told him about the lack of support from the administration. This is when the VC asked them to take him to their rooms. Only one girl out of obligation agreed, but eventually the VC visited other rooms as well and knocked on others’ doors. Girl students were asked why they were wearing shorts and he also commented on what a girl was reading and asked her to read only reference books.”

Another female student stated that in normal course, no male person is allowed inside their hostels, not even the residents’ fathers. No one can visit the girls unannounced.

Conflict with Jai Shankar Singh

Students allege that there have been other instances of friction or conflict with the VC. “It has happened in our library as well. We were asked to read a certain kind of book. Several mails have been sent that this disturbance is causing problems for us,” she added.

“Previously, the VC has made comments like ‘dress more formally in class’ or ‘to become Indian only Indian clothes must be worn’. We are constantly judged for everything. The administration has been denying us everything. Even if girls are late for a minute, we are threatened that our parents will be called. Yesterday’s event was a trigger for the protests but previous incidents have upset us. We have been sent emails constantly. Students can't go out and express themselves freely. The administration is anti-student,” said another student asking not to be named.

Jai Shankar Singh took charge of RGNUL Patiala in March, this year. He came from University of Allahabad.