KOZHIKODE: A wave of dissent is sweeping the campus of the National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NITC) with students staging a massive protest against the authorities’ decision to enforce a night curfew on the campus. On Friday morning, a large number of students staged a demonstration in front of the campus gates, blocking teachers and disrupting normal the activities of the institute.
The unrest kick-started after Rajanikant G K, Dean of Students’ Welfare, issued a circular on March 20 outlining new regulations mandating students to return to their hostels before midnight.
The circular also states that the campus canteen will close by 11 pm, effective immediately, as part of the efforts to “regulate student activities and ensure compliance with new curfew regulations.” The canteen facility was earlier available for 24-hour. According to the circular, the move aims at restoring order on campus amid escalating tensions. It also warned that non-compliance will result in the suspension of students from hostels.
As the dean left the campus on Friday citing health concerns, a large number of students gathered in front of the main office of the college registrar. Later in the evening, the registrar and the director of NIT-C met the representatives of the Students Affairs Council (SAC). However, the conciliatory meeting reportedly failed to reach a consensus, and the students have decided to continue with their protests.
Students maintain that the imposition of the curfew disproportionately affects those with afternoon schedules, as their academic engagements carry over into the night.
New norms
Students have been directed to return to their hostel rooms before midnight
The circular states that the campus canteen will close by 11 pm.
‘New regulations are restrictive and arbitrary’
“We have been repeatedly asked to keep our mouths shut on various issues that have been happening on the campus,” said Vysakh Premkumar, a fourth-year BTech student at NIT-C. “We protested in front of the campus from morning till evening, until the institute director called us for a meeting. Our protest is a reflection of a broader sentiment of frustration and defiance among the students, as the new regulations are restrictive and arbitrary,” he added.
Meanwhile, CPM leader Elamaram Kareem held talks with the students and college officials. Talking to the reporters, the LDF’s Kozhikode LS candidate, said: “I have put forward a suggestion before the college officials to implement the new reforms in a phased manner. The demands put forward by the students are logical and the college authorities must consider them.” The students’ agitation comes a few weeks after tension prevailed on the NIT-C campus following a protest by a section of students against the celebration of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
In the circular issued on Wednesday, the dean said, “I would like to emphasize that unrestricted late-night access and late-operating canteens have presented serious challenges to the administration. After careful consideration and consultation, and reflecting on the challenges and concerns that have arisen, we have decided to implement changes to our night curfew policy and late-night canteen operation.”
“It has become apparent that late-night snacking has led to unhealthy food choices, contributing to poor dietary habits and adversely affecting your overall health. We have observed a concerning trend where mindful eating has been forgotten, and this is reflecting poorly on your physical well-being,” the circular said.