HAU stir: Varsity admin shuts mess, students start kitchen at protest site
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Hisar: On Saturday, as the students' protest at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) entered its 19th day, the agitating students set up their own kitchen at the protest site after the university administration refused to reopen the hostel mess.
Students said the mess was deliberately shut down to force them to end the agitation. "We have now started cooking at the protest site itself. Cooking began this morning, and all students and supporters at the site are being served meals," they said.
It may be recalled that on Thursday night, the administration ordered the women's hostel mess to be closed and asked the girls to vacate their rooms. When the students refused, the hostel gates were locked, effectively holding the girls hostage.
On Saturday, several prominent leaders of the former student association visited the protest site. Speaking to mediapersons, former HAU Students' Union president Dr Vijendra Sharma and former Kurukshetra University Students' Union president Ramesh Poonia said the actions of the HAU vice chancellor and the Hisar district administration have reached "a new low."
Students alleged during the media interaction that they are facing constant threats.
"We are being told that the power supply will be cut off, we will be beaten up and forcibly removed," said a student leader. "The chief Minister says our demands have been accepted—he should clarify exactly which demands have been met."
'Conduct med checkup by AIIMS panel'
Students of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) have filed a petition in the district court, challenging the medical reports prepared after they were injured in a lathicharge.
Alleging discrepancies in the reports, the students demanded that their medical examination be conducted by doctors from AIIMS, Delhi. The petition is scheduled for a hearing on July 1. Advocate Vikram Mittal, representing the students, said the Medical Legal Report (MLR) of the injured students was prepared three times, but each report differs significantly.
He further argued that the injuries are serious, and amount to an attempt to murder.
The students allege that doctors were pressured to understate the injuries and that the reports were manipulated under influence from various organisations and leaders.
Assistant Prof's Bail Plea Rejected
In a related development, the district court rejected the regular bail plea of assistant professor Radheshyam, who was arrested for allegedly attacking students. Civil Lines Police had lodged an FIR on June 11 against the University Registrar, assistant professor Radheshyam, the chief security officer, and five security guards — including a female guard — under multiple sections, including attempt to murder.
According to the FIR, the incident took place on June 10, when students had gathered at the vice-chancellor's office to press for their demands, which included the reinstatement of the old scholarship rules. Security guards allegedly resorted to a violent lathicharge, leaving several students injured. Later, the university administration issued a statement, accusing the students of tearing a security guard's uniform, but did not comment on the injuries suffered by the students.
That night, at around 10:15 pm, the injured students began a peaceful sit-in at the residence of vice-chancellor Dr BR Kamboj. In statements given to the police, the students alleged that the vice-chancellor arrived in his car and, on his orders, registrar Praveen Kumar, professor Radheshyam Manju, chief security officer Sukhbir Singh, and other security staff attacked them with sticks. Students, including Dipanshu, Anand, Mohit Kumar, Nikhil, Vikram, Rahul and Chakshu, sustained injuries in the incident.
Protesting students help entrance exam candidates
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the protesting students helped candidates who came to appear for entrance exams for various university courses. Some agitators even dropped candidates to exam centres in their own vehicles, stressing that their protest is not aimed at causing inconvenience to others. The district administration akso deployed six duty magistrates to ensure the exam was conducted smoothly, citing concerns that the protest could disrupt the process.
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