Mangaluru: The students of masters degree and research students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes of the Mangalore University organised an indefinite strike in front of the Mangalore University Administrative block alleging anti-Dalit treatment by the university administration.
Addressing the media, Santhosh, a research student alleged that another research student from the university had attempted suicide because he was deprived of government facilities. He also said that this was the reason that the students of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes had staged this protest.
Reportedly, the students alleged that the Mangalore University administration had failed to provide the government facilities previously assured to the SC/ST students. Despite several demands, the university administration failed to respond. Though the CM of Karnataka has ordered to respond to the problems of the SC/ST students, the university administration has failed to comply.
Citing that the government had sanctioned a Rs 16000 Crore grant for the education of the Scheduled Tribes, they alleged, the Social Welfare Department has spent only Rs 4500 Crore. They also claim that laptops were not provided to the students as promised by the government.
“The Mangalore University is acting as if it has no connection with Social Welfare Department”, said one student.
The students also demanded that the government extend the fellowship for the fifth year but there has been no response.
Students who protested for more than 20 minutes also urged the vice chancellor to hear their grievances and respond to it. Later, the University vice-chancellor Professor K Byrappa, who came to the spot, received the memorandum and said that the administration had fulfilled 50 percent of their demands. In upcoming days, the administration would also respond to their pending demands after holding a meeting.
