'Stop the practice of locking of offices' - MU Administrator
Date : November 14, 2020 , Manipur University

The Manipur University has been conducting entrance tests for Post Graduate (PG) and Under Graduate (UG) classes from 10 October to 12 November of this year. The intake capacity in MU has increased by 38 percent during the current academic session to help the students who have come back because of Covid 19.As compared to Academic Session 2017-18, the Academic Session 2020-21 intake is about 1219 seats more.

The classes for second year students started in October 2020 through online mode and is still underway. The MU has been able to conduct examinations of final semester examinations of BA / BSc etc. and declare the result. The faculty members, students and the staff are working hard during this Covid-19 period to meet the deadlines of various academic calendars .

The admission in the MU is being done on the basis of reservation system ordered by the High Court in its judgement M.C.(W.A.) No.54 of 2016 (Ref. W.A.No.40 of 2015) dated 24th August 2016 and is as follows
Un-Reserved Category 50%
ST Category 31%
SC Category 02%
OBC Category 17%

The 10% reservation for the EWS is within the UR category and depends on the policy of the Manipur State government.

I may mention here that some groups had been off and on raising objections to this reservation system without realising the fact that this had been ordered by the High Court as well as in line with central government rules.

These groups have often voiced their views of having reservations based on central norms which cannot be done in MU (even though it is a central University) because of relevant amendments by government of India in this regards as well as orders of the High court confirming the same. MU cannot hold discussion with any group on change in reservation of admission seats.

Unfortunately it has been observed that a group of students (some from MU and some from outside MU), have indulged in unwanted activities such as locking of different offices, and agitating. Sometimes they invent the excuses to agitate. This is unfortunate. There is a system of redressal of grievances in MU and students can air their grievances.

But locking of the departments and offices and disturbing the teaching / conduct of entrance tests / compilation and declaration or results etc., are undesirable activities detrimental to studies and growth of MU. Such activities cannot be allowed on a continuous basis in the university.

By locking offices, this small number of students is affecting the careers of remaining more than 99 percent students who want to study peacefully and move on with their careers" .

Yesterday (13th November 2020), after I came back to my office after attending a function organised by MUSU in Centenary Hall to facilitate the teachers, I was surprised that my office was locked by one group of students some of whom were non MU persons.

After breaking the locks, the doors were opened and I attended the office as I had to sign some urgent papers. After sometime when this group of about 15 students came back, I came out and met them. I was surprised when one of them questioned my authority to open my own office.

I requested them to come inside and tell me their grievances. They refused to come inside and a few of them shouted at me. I went inside office and came out again after about five minutes to request them to come inside and tell me their grievances.

Instead of telling their issues, they again shouted and questioned my authority to open my own office. Some of them were indulging in unwanted activities and wanted to barge into offices. The police was informed and requested to take action. I also informed the DGP and the SP Imphal West of the position.

It may be remembered that no institution, more of an educational institution like MU, can function and grow academically and function as per rules and regulations, if some persons can take law into their hands and start closing departments and offices on assumed grievances. If that happens, then such institutes slowly lose their significance and prominence.

We in the MU are working hard for the growth of the MU and its academics. We are applying the rules and regulations fairly and squarely to address the genuine grievances.

During the last two years, six new departments namely departments of Law, Fine Art, Psychology, Yoga, National Security Studies, South East Asian Studies have been opened, the intake capacities of all departments have been increased substantially, some by as much as double, new science equipment have been purchased and the existing equipment lying unused have been brought under annual maintenance contracts, annually more than Rs one crore worth of books are being purchased, six new hostels have been completed, more than 60 faculty have been appointed, the promotions of more than 75 faculty members have been effected etc.

Whatever is possible within the time and resources available has been done. If any one does not believe me, ask an ordinary student about this. Keeping in view the interest of the growth of the MU, more so of student community as well the teaching faculty, the students are advised to focus their attention on studies and bring laurels to the MU, their state as well as their parents.

It is also advised that any attempt by any group to disturb the work of the university would not be tolerated and the assistance of the police would be taken to restore order and tackle the unwanted activities of such groups.

It is further informed that as per the order of the Hon'ble High Court of Manipur dated 24th May 2019; all stakeholders are required to keep peace and harmony in the Manipur University. The parents of such students, who are creating problems frequently, would be informed about the activities of their wards as well as the effect which it has on the academics of the majority of students in MU .

In the end, I request the students to focus on study and place their genuine grievances before the MU authority. For God's sake stop the practice of locking of offices and departments. The locking and opening of offices is the duty of office peons. Please open books and journals and study and bring laurels to MU.

Jarnail Singh
Administrator,
Manipur University