Albertians join protestors’ league against ‘strictness’

The ripples of agitation against self-financing private engineering colleges that began from Nehru Engineering College Pampadi, Thrissur, are spreading across the state it seems.
Students protesting in front of Albertian Institute of Science and Technology, Kalamassery, on Monday | Express
Students protesting in front of Albertian Institute of Science and Technology, Kalamassery, on Monday | Express

KOCHI:The ripples of agitation against self-financing private engineering colleges that began from Nehru Engineering College Pampadi, Thrissur, are spreading across the state it seems. The latest development took place on Monday when students of the church-run Albertian Institute of Science and Technology (AISAT), Kalamassery, launched a stir against the college management for imposing stringent disciplinary code on the campus. Various student organisations are aiding them in the agitation.

“AISAT students are not allowed to grow hair or beards. Muslim girls are not even permitted to wear hijab. All students have to wear black socks, black belts and executive shoes or pay a fine of `100,” said the student leaders.  “There was even an incident where a student preparing for Sabarimala pilgrimage was asked to remove his chain and shave before entering the exam hall,” they alleged.
Agreeing that the college did follow certain rules on students’ dressing, AISAT principal K E George said, “The disciplinary measures aim at grooming students as capable professionals by the time they complete the four-year course. Such rules exist in almost all engineering colleges of the state. Good habits make students confident for  facing placement interviews.” “Nobody had raised any complaints on the measures so far,” he added.

Student organisations divided
The first day of the agitations itself saw a divide among different student outfits, all of who tried to score brownie points from the agitation.  While the SFI - whose leaders claimed  they launched the agitation and others followed suit - stood alone, the KSU, ABVP, AISF and MSF joined hands to fight for the students.
“Last Friday, SFI formed a unit at the college. Under its aegis, AISAT students prepared an 18-point memorandum for submission to the principal. However, when the students reached the campus on Monday morning, the management, which somehow got to know about the memorandum, denied them entry and closed the gates. Following this, SFI activists   took out a procession to AISAT,” said SFI Kalamassery area secretary Balu. He said: “Students were allowed to enter the campus only after the police reached. Nobody from outside attempted entry to the campus.”
KSU leaders, on the other hand, termed the SFI’s claims of having students’ support as false.“Students are not with the SFI. While the KSU, ABVP and AISF have been invited for talks by the management, SFI has not been invited,” said KSU district secretary Nishad.

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