Irked students protest against PP Prajapati

Around 20 economic students of Gujarat University (GU) came out in protest of faculty Pradeep Prajapati on Friday demanding his ouster as he has conducted only two classes in the past 11 months.

Agitated students shouted slogans outside the Gujarat University Bhavan and presented their case to acting vice-chancellor Dr Mukul Shah.

One of the protesting students, Rahul Yadav said Prajapati did not conduct classes even after his suspension was revoked. “Is this the system? How can a faculty not conduct classes for eleven months? Even when he teaches, students fail to understand anything. His teaching skills don’t suit us,” said the student.

For starters, former vice-chancellor Aadesh Pal had allowed Prajapati to stay away from academic sessions as he was assigned additional responsibility.
However, when Dr Shah took over, he withdrew the liberties given to the associate professor.

Reacting to the protests, Dr Shah promised necessary action against Prajapati. “I called him on several occasions for meeting, but he never turned up. I had also called him today (Friday) as well but he didn’t come. We will ask for an explanation and if necessary, strict action would be taken,” said Shah.

The students also requested to continue with the faculty — who taught in Prajapati’s absence — and Shah assured them that he would do the needful.

Prajapati, on the other hand, claims that GU never gave him any timetable. “How can I conduct classes if I do not have any timetable or details of the subjects to teach? I report to duty every day and remain in my cabin from 11 am to 6 pm,” said the associate professor.