Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Tuesday staged a massive protest march at Jamnalal Bajaj Bhavan of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), demanding immediate resolution of long-pending academic and administrative issues faced by students. The agitation was carried out under the guidance of BJP Nagpur City President Dayashankar Tiwari and led by BJYM City President Sachin Karare, in the presence of BJP General Secretaries Shrikant Aglave and Ritesh Gavande, along with Senate member Vishnu Changde. The university premises echoed with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ as protesters strongly condemned the alleged mismanagement and inefficiency of the university administration.

 

The BJYM volunteers tried to ransack the university premises. They shouted slogans and damaged the flowerpots kept near Vice-Chancellor chamber. Taking serious cognisance of the same, the university authorities called in the police, who detained the agitators and took them to Ambazari Police Station. Later, a BJYM delegation met the Vice-Chancellor Dr Manali Kshirsagar and submitted a detailed memorandum comprising 20 major demands related to student welfare and university administration. The Vice-Chancellor personally accepted the memorandum and held discussions with the delegation. BJYM adopted an aggressive stand during the meeting and warned the university administration to resolve all student-related issues within 48 hours, failing which the organisation would launch a more intense agitation against the university.

 

Among the major demands raised by BJYM were proper arrangements of coolers and drinking water at examination centres during the ongoing summer examinations, declaration of examination schedules at least one month in advance, timely distribution of hall tickets at least 15 days before exams, removal of discrepancies between online results and physical mark sheets, and immediate dispatch of TR Books to colleges in cases where results are withheld. The organisation also demanded immediate rectification of serious technical errors wherein students’ roll numbers reportedly displayed names of other students, establishment of dedicated Student Help Desks and helpline services for students from Bhandara, Gondia, Nagpur Rural and Wardha, timely declaration of revaluation results, and refund of revaluation fees for students declared passed after reassessment. Dr Manali Kshirsagar, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, said, “We had already taken measures on the demands put by the BJYM.

 

Last week we had addressed those to mediapersons. I am aware that university should be student-centric and accordingly we are taking steps. We have already created war room through which the things have started streamlining. Still we will not leave any stone unturned as far as students’ grievances, facilities are concerned.” Vice-Chancellor assured the delegation that all demands would be seriously considered and necessary steps would be taken for early resolution of the issues.

 

Several BJYM office-bearers and activists, including Ritesh Pandey, Rishabh Arkhel, Atharva Trivedi, Nagesh Sathawane, Prashansa Bhoyar, Shantanu Jhade, Shashank Samudre, Samarth Rageet, Vicky Pandey, Harshal Wadekar, Akshay Sharma, Uday Mishra, Govinda Katekar, Pinkesh Patle, Sunny Jhende, Prajwal Mangar, Yogita Burde, Pratiksha Gharde, Kalyani Kubde, Tushar Thakre, Ayush Tapkar, Sahil Dorlikar, Bhupendra Mishra, Ayush Sharma, Harsh Ramteke, Nilesh Hedau, Yash Gaikwad, Vivek Kale, Vishal Kukreja, Manish Verma, Kunal Pandit, Vedant Joshi, Shraddha Dhawale, Nilay Athalye, Saurabh Shah, Anuj Samudre, Atul Kanojia, Prajwal Kadu, Sahil Thakur, Nehal Durbude, Vivek Chandekar, Bhavesh Mathghare, Gaurav Shahu, Navin Dhakite, Akshay Dharmavijaywar, Rishikesh Badhiye, Anish Vaidya, Gautam Verma and many others were present during the agitation.