Denying the students’ allegations of saffronising the varsity campus, the Pondicherry University has said that that the academy is a secular institution. The university has released an official statement saying that “This is a secular institution imparting quality higher education to students and researchers, irrespective of their caste, religion or creed across the country”.
Earlier on Sunday morning, several students gathered to launch a protest in Pondicherry University demanding an end to ‘saffronisation’ in the campus. Around 400 students affiliated to Left groups, SFI, ASA and APSF, and Congress backed NSUI had been protesting since Sunday morning asking to meet Vice Chancellor Gurmeet Singh. Students wanted the 6 pm curfew to end for conducting programmes and Wi-Fi restored.
“Under Aurobindo’s picture there is a message that says, ‘That which we call the Hindu religion is really the Eternal religion because it embraces all others’,” said a student leader, pointing out a newly installed board inside Aurobindo Hostel.
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Now the University is taking steps to provide Wi-Fi facility at the Aurobindo Hostel. According to the statement from the University, all, the issues raised by the students will be addressed one by one. VC Gurmeet Singh also held a meeting with the representatives of Students Action Committee, which went for two hours.
