KU rusticates 17 students for ‘creating ruckus’ on campus

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, March 20

Kurukshetra University on Wednesday rusticated 17 students, including eight girls, for allegedly manhandling university staff during an agitation on February 28.

The affected students are members of the Joint Student Struggle Committee, a body comprising unelected members of the campus students’ organisation.

Of the 17 students, 13 have been barred from entering the university indefinitely. The other four have been rusticated and barred from entering the campus for the current session only.

The entry of two youths, identified as outsiders, has also been prohibited.

A university spokesperson said the disciplinary action was taken after a group of students allegedly created ruckus near the VC’s office and manhandled university staff on February 28. The KU authorities had to call the police to control the protesters. Members of the Joint Student Struggle Committee were protesting in support of their demands, including allowing e-rickshaws on the campus, strong Wi-Fi connectivity and better food quality in the hostel mess.

Student leader Vinod Gill termed the KU’s decision as arbitrary, stating that activists were legitimately protesting for their demands. “The agitation will be intensified as students are being harassed. The university administration is insensitive towards the demands of the protesting students,” he added.