BHU offline classes resume amid protests
VARANASI: Offline classes for final years undergraduate and postgraduate students resumed at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Monday after 11 months due to the Covid pandemic. At the same time, online classes are also being run.
Arrangements of thermal screening and sanitisation have been made at the university. The university had reopened its hostels on February 17. However, a group of students of BA second, third and fourth semesters staged a demonstration at the main gate of the university demanding resumption of offline class for them too.
“All degree colleges and other educational institutes here have already opened,” claimed Vipul Singh, one of the students who took part in the demonstration.
The agitating students also demanded that all services, like canteen, should also be started on the BHU campus. Deputy chief proctor prof BC Kapari reached the spot and asked the students not to close the side gates at the main gate. The students, however, refused to follow his instructions.
Chief proctor, BHU, prof Anand Chaudhary said information was received that some students attempted to disrupt traffic movement at the main gate of the university. The Proctorial Board members tried to convince the protesting students to end their dharna since it caused inconvenience not only to people but also to the patients coming to BHU hospital.
Prof Chaudhary said the university administration had also clarified in the past that no compromise can be made with students’ health and safety. “And in this order following the guidelines of the Government of India in the interests of the students, the university is being opened in a phased manner. In future also, with improving situation, appropriate decisions will be taken by the university administration in the interest of students in the light of the guidelines issued by the Centre,” he added.
Chaudhary appealed to the students to cooperate with the university administration in maintaining academic environment and keep in view the interest of the patients coming for remote areas for treatment.
Around 200 students gathered at the BHU gate and staged the dharna. Around 40 to 50 students were still at the gate while others had left by the time of filing the report.