SRFTI students question disciplinary proceedings seek independent probe into campus violence

Kolkata, Nov 3 (PTI) SRFTI students on Tuesday questioned the administration over disciplinary proceedings initiated against them, demanding transparency in the issuance of show-cause and rustication notices and an independent inquiry into the incidents of violence on the campus on September 27 and October 4.

    In a statement titled 'Questions the SRFTI Administration Must Answer', the students raised eight questions following recent remarks by the institute's registrar, alleging that the administration had failed to address their concerns and was avoiding questions about the procedures followed in initiating disciplinary action.

    The students questioned the authority of the chief accounts officer to issue show-cause notices, referring to Rules 3.2.5 and 3.2.7 of the SRFTI Academic By-Laws, which, they claimed, identify the disciplinary authorities and vest overall disciplinary powers in the director.

    When contacted by PTI, Registrar Deepak Kumar said the students were "keeping the issue alive".

    "These concerns are being dealt with appropriately, following due procedures. However, a handful of 6-7 students appear intent on keeping the issue alive, to further their vested interests," he said.

    "They are undermining the interests of the larger student community, whose academic activities continue to suffer. Dialogue is the only solution, but they are also obstructing meaningful dialogue between students, faculty and the administration. The academic future of the larger student body cannot be allowed to suffer indefinitely," Kumar said in a statement to PTI.

    In their statement issued earlier in the day, the students sought clarification on whether any specific delegation of powers or administrative order authorised the chief accounts officer to issue the notices.

    They also sought details of the fact-finding committee referred to by the registrar, including when it was constituted, the identity of its members, who authorised its formation and the mandate assigned to it.

    Questioning why the committee's report had not been shared with them, the students said they could not be expected to defend themselves against allegations without access to the findings and evidence relied upon by the administration.

    The students further alleged that although they had submitted replies to the disciplinary notices within the stipulated time, the administration had neither responded to them nor clarified whether their submissions had been considered.

    Raising questions over the incidents of violence on September 27 and October 4, they asked why no independent and transparent fact-finding inquiry had been initiated into the alleged attacks while disciplinary proceedings against students were being pursued.

    "Is resolving the crisis still a priority, or has taking action against students become the primary agenda?" they asked.

    The students demanded access to the reports and evidence cited by the administration to justify its actions, subject to applicable legal restrictions.

    "We are not asking for any special treatment. We are asking the administration to follow its own rules, be transparent about its decisions and take responsibility for..." the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)