Gangtok, May 21, 2012:

The Student Union of Sikkim (SUS) has submitted a memorandum to the Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh and to the Minister for Human Resource and Development Department (HRDD), NK Pradhan regarding the seat reservation in Sikkim University (SU), informed the SUS President, Jiwan Subba during a press meet held in the capital.

PIC: VC of SU, Mahendra P Lama

He also notified that the HRDD Minister has assured them to send a letter to Central Ministry of Education and also to take it up with Union Minister for HRD Kapil Sibal as soon as possible. Speaking on the May 18^th picketing conducted by SUS, Subba said that after giving an ultimatum of a week to the University authority regarding fulfilling their 8 point demand, the SU authority did not pay any heed. Hence, when they went to approach the Vice Chancellor (VC) of SU, Mahendra P Lama, he was nowhere to be found in the University office, so the strike had to be called on. Further, he mentioned that a meeting was held between the HRDD Secretary, CS Rao, members of SUS and University authorities during which the SU authority agreed to introduce few of the subjects in demand in this session.

The SUS President also fumed by the VC’s statement of May 19^th during the 3^rd Global Lecture at Chintan Bhawan where he had stated that the students by demanding such rights have become ‘educated illiterates’, warned the VC to withdraw his statement, or else strong action will be taken against him.

Lastly, clarifying he added that the agitation is valid as  SUS is worried about the future of 3000 students. And also few politicians are trying to politicize the issue and deliver negative statements as they have their own vested interest.

The SUS also declared their strategy against the News Papers published from Gangtok for using the term ‘extremism’ for the procedure adopted, for pressing their demands regarding introduction of certain new subjects and steps. “We will be now approaching the Press Council of India, against the News papers for using such a word for us. We request the Editors to think twice about using such terms.” said Subba.

On the other hand the University authority had said earlier that they have space problems in the University, running in 18 different scattered buildings. This also does’ not appear to be acceptable to the Union members, who say that University is opening Hindi and Integrated Maths from the coming session, where as they could have started MSc Maths and one more subject of their choice.

Sikkim Mail

 

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