Presidency's VC refuses to quit after students' agitation

Presidency University Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia on Saturday refused to quit after a section of students prevented her from moving around and demanded her resignation for non-action during an alleged police assault.

Agitating students greeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with black flags and slogans during her visit to the campus on Friday.

They alleged police assault and continued protesting even after she left the varsity and subsequently surrounded the vice chancellor who was forced to spend the night in her office.

The students are pressing for Lohia's resignation, saying she has failed them on a number of occasions. But Lohia has refused to quit.

"They had a scuffle with the police personnel who were present to protect a VIP. I did not call the police. Why should I resign," Lohia said on Saturday, adding the demand was "illogical".

The registrar and at least 10 other senior administrative officials were also present.

The students have also called for a boycott of the varsity's third convocation ceremony scheduled in the evening on Saturday.

However, an official of the varsity told IANS that the authorities will ensure the event runs smoothly.