Strike resonates in Bawal, only nine of 145 students appear for exams

The student-led strike at the College of Agriculture in Bawal (Rewari), a constituent college of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, gained momentum on Wednesday as only 9 out of 145 students appeared for their scheduled exams.

The boycott, in solidarity with the ongoing student agitation at HAU’s Hisar campus, has seen a drastic dip in exam attendance over the past three days. On Monday, just 14 out of 250 students took their exams, while Tuesday saw the number drop to a mere one student out of 93.

Meanwhile, over 150 students continue to participate in a daily dharna (sit-in protest) on the college premises.

“More than 150 students are daily participating in the dharna to show solidarity with the HAU students. Many others have returned home due to the situation, but they continue to support the protest through various means,” said Sumit, one of the protesters.

He asserted the boycott's success and discipline, adding, “We are strictly following the exam boycott call given by the HAU students and it has been successful as expected.”

Sumit said people from various walks of life were backing their cause, adding, “Many are visiting the dharna site to express their solidarity and boost our morale.”

According to him, the Bawal protest is being conducted under close coordination with student leaders at HAU.

“They interact with us twice daily — once in the morning and again in the evening. They always advise us to maintain peace, avoid any disrespect towards teachers and keep the protest disciplined,” he said.

“Our motive is just to build pressure on the authorities through peaceful protest to ensure justice for HAU students.”

Naresh Kaushik, principal of the Agriculture College, Bawal, acknowledged the ongoing situation and confirmed that the faculty had been making daily efforts to persuade students to take their exams.

“Despite our continuous efforts, the students remain firm in their decision to boycott the examinations and very few are turning up,” he said.