University suspends classes following students agitation

Annamalai University in nearby Chidambaram today announced indefinite suspension of classes at its campus barring medical courses following a dharna by students demanding disbursement of scholarship for SC/ST students.

Administrator of the university, taken over by government two years ago, Shiv Das Meena ordered the suspension of the classes in all departments except the medical college and hostel students asked to leave for their home towns, Professor and Chief of Arts wing T Rajendran told reporters.

Earlier, around 15,000 students of the university, led by Joint Action Committee (JAC), boycotted classes and staged a dharna inside the campus.

However, soon after the announcement about suspension of the classes, the students withdrew their protest, Rajendran said adding no decision had been taken on reopening the university.
 

The students are demanding distribution of Rs 48 crore sanctioned by the state government for scholarship to SC/ST students.