New Delhi: Acknowledging the petition submitted by protesting students of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) in Punjab’s Patiala against Vice Chancellor Jai Shankar Singh, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed the university registrar to take appropriate action and report within 15 days.
The students had written to NCW to demand the V-C’s ouster over “inappropriate and sexist behaviour” after he allegedly inspected the girls’ hostel rooms without prior notice or consent, violating their privacy.
In a letter dated 30 September, Mamata Kumari, a member of NCW, addressed the university registrar, urging the official “to look into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with the law”.
“The present complaint pertains to the alleged violation of the right to privacy and the right to live with dignity… The action taken in this matter should be communicated to the Commission within 15 days of receiving this letter,” the letter read.
A two-member external committee has been formed to “mediate the dispute on campus”, according to a notice issued by the V-C, a copy of which has been accessed by ThePrint. The committee was established under the direction of the chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who also serves as the chancellor of RGNUL.
The committee includes Professor Archana Mishra, vice chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, and Giribala Singh, president of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Bhopal. The external members are scheduled to visit the university campus from 2 to 3 October.
However, students have expressed uncertainty about whether the members were selected by the V-C, despite the committee being formed under the chancellor’s directive. They have also raised concerns regarding the directive itself, requesting a copy of the order that constituted the panel.
The students, who have been protesting for 11 days now, further pointed out that the members have affiliations with the University of Allahabad—an institution where V-C Singh has previously served—raising concerns over a potential “appearance of bias”.
“We reiterate our demand for an independent inquiry into the appointment and actions of the Vice Chancellor. The committee, said to ‘mediate the dispute’, was not formed with the students’ consensus,” they said.
More than 800 students have signed a ‘no-confidence letter’ and submitted it to the Punjab and Haryana High Court chief justice or the chancellor, expressing their dissatisfaction with the V-C’s administration. A copy of the letter, accessed by ThePrint, outlines their grievances.
“The hallmarks of the V-C’s brief tenure have been the stagnation and regression of academic culture, misogyny, sexism, apathy towards students, and the deliberate suppression of their voices,” the letter read.
“Given the severity of these issues and the V-C’s continued failure to address them, we believe the V-C and key administrative officials who supported him no longer hold the confidence of the student body. His actions have not only violated our trust but have also tarnished the reputation of RGNUL.”
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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