Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The ongoing indefinite strike by self-finance non-teaching employees of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) took a nasty turn on Saturday as vice chancellor Prof Rakesh Singhai was prompted to come out of his car and sit outside the university's entrance gate.
The employees, who have been on strike since May 5 in support of their 14-point charter of demands, escalated their protest by gheraoing the vice chancellor’s vehicle on the UTD campus. The strikers raised slogans and blocked the vehicle’s movement, compelling Prof Singhai to step out and walk out of the campus premises.
The protesting employees shut the main entrance gates, which Prof Singhai opened himself before taking a seat on a platform outside the gate. The standoff lasted for nearly half an hour before the agitating employees allowed the car to retrieve the vice chancellor and take him home.
DAVV main gate being opened for VC | FP Image
Efforts to mediate the strike had been ongoing, with the university administration inviting representatives of the employees' association for discussions. However, the association refused the offer, insisting that the VC should personally come to the protest site for talks.
The incident quickly drew public attention after videos and photos of the VC sitting outside the gate went viral on social media. In response, one of the DAVV Teachers Associations issued a strong statement condemning the employees’ actions.
“We, the teachers, are very distressed and saddened by the way the employees mistreated the VC, who is also a respected teacher. Our association strongly condemns this entire incident and demands the administration to take appropriate action against those involved,” read a message from association president Prof Suresh Patidar and secretary Dr Sakharam Mujalde. “
As the deadlock continues, the situation on campus remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight.
VC sitting on a platform outside the DAVV gate | FP Image
