KOCHI: The students of the Government Law College, Ernakulam are finding it difficult to complete their portions, thanks to the frequent strikes being announced by the unions.
Recently, N Prakash, a B Com LLB student approached the Kerala High Court seeking a directive to ensure smooth conduct of classes. The petition was filed in February. Ten strikes have hit the campus since then.
On January 25, 2017, KSU and ABVP called for a strike. On February 1, another strike was declared by KSU, ABVP and AISF. On the next day, ABVP announced a strike in connection with the Law Academy issue, Prakash said.
The Bar Council of India stipulates that 36 class hours per week including seminars, moot court and tutorial classes besides 30 minimum lecture hours per week, in the case of honours law courses, have to be attended. 36 class hours per week spanning over 18 weeks for such a double degree integrated course works out to 648 classroom hours for a single semester.
According to him, students who choose to participate in a strike or ‘dharna’ can walk out of the classrooms without disrupting the ongoing classes attended by willing students.
They can do so at the risk of losing their attendance. The members of the teaching faculty are empowered to take classes even if there is only one student and such teaching hours are liable to be reckoned.
Prakash sought a directive to the Ernakulam Law College principal to solicit police assistance for the smooth conduct of classes.
The principal, in an affidavit submitted before the court, said the root cause of disruption is due to the policy of government in permitting student politics in the campuses. “Unless student politics is banned, no lasting solution can be found,” the affidavit stated.
Citing RTI replies, Prakash said the principal never approached the police seeking assistance to ensure smooth conduct of the classes.