Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, May 9: Students of Amar Singh College Srinagar on Friday opposed the suspension of the Principal of the college, urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene and ensure a fair review of the decision taken following the recent harassment controversy at the college.
Several students told news agency JKNS that the Principal had acted responsibly during the protests and ensured that the issue was addressed through proper institutional mechanisms and due process.
One of the students, wishing anonymity, said the suspension of the Principal was “unjust” and expressed concern that action against an administrator who supported students and upheld transparency could send a wrong message within academic institutions.
“We believe it was right to suspend the professor accused in the controversy, but the Principal handled the situation responsibly and stood by the students during a sensitive time. Suspending him without justification has disappointed us,” they added.
“I strongly oppose the suspension of the Principal of Amar Singh College. From what has been seen, the Principal cooperated with students and ensured that the matter was handled through proper inquiry and institutional channels. Punishing an administrator who supported transparency appears unfair,” the student namely Aabid said, appealing to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to look into the matter personally.
“It is good that the government acted and suspended the Assistant Professor, but there is no justification for suspending our Principal. What wrong has he done?” one of the student namely Aabid questioned.
Another student also condemned the suspension order and said the Principal had fully cooperated with the students while ensuring that the issue was dealt with through due process.
“Suspending a Principal who was maintaining transparency and supporting students sends a wrong message to educational institutions. We request the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to intervene and ensure justice,” the student namely Mursaleen said.
Meanwhile, sources said that the Principal’s suspension has been ordered in view of outsiders allegedly seen protesting with students inside the college, videos of which went viral on social media.
However, there was no official confirmation regarding the reasons behind the Principal’s suspension.
Earlier, Education Minister Sakina Itoo ordered the suspension of the Principal and an Assistant Professor of Amar Singh College Srinagar following the recent controversy that triggered student protests inside the campus.
Senior officials from the Higher Education Department told news agency JKNS that the action was taken pending inquiry into the incident and directions have been issued to complete the probe within one week.
Officials said that during the protests at the college, some outsiders were allegedly found inside the campus, following which an immediate inquiry was ordered.
“The fact remains who allowed them inside the campus during the protest. Keeping all aspects into consideration, both the Principal and the Assistant Professor have been suspended pending inquiry,” an official said.
The protests had erupted on Thursday after students alleged harassment of a female student inside the college campus.
During the afternoon session, students of the Department of Media Studies assembled within the college premises and staged a protest, raising allegations against the Head of the Department of Media Studies.
Following the demonstrations, top officials of the Higher Education Department and the college administration took immediate cognizance of the matter.
Earlier, in an official order issued by the Principal of Amar Singh College Srinagar, Dr. Parvaiz Ahmad Lone, HoD of the Department of Media Studies, was disassociated from all academic affairs of the department with immediate effect pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The order had further stated that the Proctorial Board was entrusted with conducting a transparent and time-bound inquiry into the allegations. (JKNS)
