Presidency University to Rethink Proposed Code of Conduct (representative image)
Parents of students will be called by the authorities if they are found in an intimate place on campus, the code of conduct says. Students alleged barriers to political discussion, attacks on freedom of expression, disruptions to normal lifestyles, and intrusive surveillance of campus life
Presidency University students affiliated with SFI had launched a week-long protest on Monday after a draft code of conduct was proposed by the university. According to the new code of conduct, no one is allowed to organize meetings and processions without the prior and proper approval of the
relevant authorities of the institute.
Students indicate that this is the first time that such a code of conduct has been introduced. Parents of students will be called by the authorities if they are found in an intimate place on campus, the code of conduct says. Students claimed there are barriers to political discussion, attacks on freedom of expression, disruptions to normal lifestyles, and intrusive surveillance of campus life. Students are also strictly prohibited from providing audio and video clips of campus activities to the media without prior approval from the relevant authorities.
The century-old Presidency University is going to reconsider the proposed code of conduct, which was put in place to enforce discipline on the university campus. Until the revision, no new code of conduct will be issued on campus.
SFI, the student wing of the CPI-M that controls the university’s student council, is demanding the immediate deletion of certain parts of the authority’s proposed ‘Code of Conduct’. They claim that the code of conduct undermines students’ right to protest on campus and constitutional rights to personal liberty, as in Article 19(1) and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Speaking to News18.com, SFI President Anandarupa said: “Reducing the issue of surveillance and crackdown on student politics to just “physical intimacy” is very individualistic. We want to make it clear that we are not just against imposition and encroachment on personal freedom. , but we are also vehemently against the tendency to use a code of conduct to curb student organizing. The Authority is doing all this because it is extremely afraid of one thing – student organizing. It uses therefore all kinds of tactics such as surveillance, and code of conduct to maintain an environment of fear of student politics,”
After ongoing unrest, SFI filed a deputation with university authorities on Monday. In addition to their demands in the deputation, they have submitted documents containing the opinions of numerous former and current students and researchers of the university to the university authorities.
SFI Presidency Unit Editor Rishabh Saha said, “We are not at all in favor of changing the Code of Conduct, we have no objection to this Code of Conduct in many academic matters including examination taking, but certain points of this Code of Conduct will destroy the tradition of this university. The university cannot decide what slogans the students use when they are politically active. For the sake of decency, making love on college campuses is objected to. We have filed a deputation about this code of conduct that hinders a student’s personal freedom in student life. “
After submitting the deputation, a statement was issued by the SFI stating: “The student counselor spoke this morning about the assessment committee. The authority eventually backed down under pressure from continued agitation by the SFI Presidency University Unit. They have indicated in writing that the Code of Conduct will not be implemented with new rules. A code of conduct/student handbook is being prepared for NAAC to consolidate the old rules. But no new social rules, nothing is imposed.”