JU students continue hunger strike despite deteriorating health

The hunger strike by the Jadavpur University students demanding withdrawal of the decision to scrap entrance tests to six undergraduate courses, entered the fifth day on Tuesday, as two of the protestors were rushed to the hospital after their health condition deteriorated, an official said.

"I am very worried about their health, as their medical condition is getting worse. Two students are already hospitalised and the sugar level of others are falling for which I am asking them to take care of themselves," said University Registrar, Chiranjib Bhattacharya.

Vice Chancellor Suranjan Das and the registrar have requested the students to withdraw their hunger strike.

"It is natural that the hunger strike is taking its toll on our body, but we are able to tolerate that as there is a mental urge to get a satisfactory result out of it. So we will continue till our demands are fulfilled," said a protesting student.

Another student requested the officials to take the decision for the sake of the University, the students and their rights, and only then will the hunger strike and the protest demonstrations end.

The University authorities are set to hold a meeting of the Executive Council (EC) during the day on the issue.

Around 20 members of Arts Faculty Students' Union started a hunger strike on July 6, two days after the EC decided to do away with the system of holding entrance tests for admission to six undergraduate courses in the humanities stream for the coming academic year.

The university, rated one of the best in the country academically but also known for its volatile student movements, plunged into turmoil after the authorities - apparently under pressure from the West Bengal government - scrapped entrance tests for admission to under-graduate courses in Bengali, English, History, comparative literature, political science and philosophy.

The decision came against the backdrop of state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee on more than one occasion speaking out against the JU holding admission tests for undergraduate courses in some subjects, while admitting students on the basis of plus two results in some other courses.

--IANS

bnd/ssp/vd