Students 'gherao' director of technical education

The incharge director of technical education,  SK Mahajan, had a surprise visit by activists and students who gheraoed him on Tuesday.

Activists from the Forum against Commercialisation of Education demanded immediate transfer of Ujas Patel, an M Pharm student of VMHP Shah College of Pharmacy, Thane, which is not affiliated to University of Mumbai.

The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) in September 2007 had admitted students to the college through CAP round. However, the students later found that the college was not affiliated to any university.

“We realised this just before our semester exams when we were not issued hall ticket,” Ujas Patel said. “The management, however, asked us to write to the university to sanction affiliation. I then asked the Forum to help me get a transfer to an affiliated college,” Patel said.

“We had approached the director before, however, no action was taken then,” Vivek Korde, director of the Forum said.

“We enquired with the university, but they were firm on not granting affiliation to the college. We decided to find a solution to this so that students won’t lose an academic year,” Korde said.

Following the demands of the group, Mahajan assured Patel in writing that she would be transferred to another college before March 12.

“We have assured that Ujas Patel will be transferred to an affiliated college that has the same subjects she was studying. Her academic year won’t be affected,” said Mahajan.
Patel alleged that the college authorities had threatened her with rustication if she approached authorities. Even after repeated attempts, Tekchand Shah, the managing trustee refused to comment on the issue.

r_priya@dnaindia.net