BENGALURU: Students of the National Law School of India University, led by the Student Bar Association of the institute, boycotted the examination that began on Monday as a mark of protest against the alleged delay in appointing the vice-chancellor. However, the boycott and protest were called off with immediate effect following an assurance from Supreme Court judge Justice Bobde.
Nearly 500 students comprising almost the entire student community of NLS were protesting on the campus for the last four days by boycotting classes, staging dharnas and holding protest marches including a night march. To make up for the classes lost, seniors held classes for the juniors to cover the portions.
The protest was held demanding transparency and the speedy completion of the process and barring the registrar from any further involvement in the process of the appointment among others. The students said that the registrar is unqualified to take a decision on the appointment of vice-chancellor. The Student Bar Association, with the support of many alumni practising law, had demanded that the appointment of vice-chancellor be done in conformation with the decision taken in the 88th Executive Council.
After the announcement of indefinite strike and few days of protest thereafter, Vice-Chancellor (FAC), Prof M.K. Ramesh, had a dialogue with student body. However, he denied the students right to transparency in matters of appointments to the university, said Mr Binith Agarwal, a member of the Association.
On Monday, NLS alumnus and senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan got an audience with the Chief Justice of India, the Chancellor of NLS and Justice Bobde. In the meeting, he explained to the judges the concerns of the student body. The judges after acknowledging all the relevant facts ruled that the decision of the chancellor will be final in the matter of VC’s appointment. The strike was called off following Justice Bobade's assurance to students that the concerns of the students would be looked into. The students will attend the exams from Tuesday.
