Presidency University has circulated among students a draft code of conduct, which says organising meetings and processions “without prior and proper approval from the concerned authorities of the institute” will constitute a violation of the code.
The draft also says “students are strictly prohibited from furnishing audio and video clippings of any activity within the campus to media without obtaining prior approval from concerned authorities”.
The dean of students, Arun Maity, said they have circulated the draft among the students seeking their opinion on the proposed code of conduct.
Students voiced their concerns about some of the provisions of the draft which, they say, are restrictive and “oppressive” in nature.
The draft says inability to produce the identity card, issued by the institute, or refusing to comply with the request of the security officials of the campus when asked to present the identity card will be construed as a violation of the code of conduct.
Engaging in disruptive actions, unceremonious or improper conduct, including, but not limited to, creating disproportionate noise will amount to a violation of the code of conduct, the draft says.
Barishan Ray, an undergraduate student, said it “is bizarre that the studentsare being asked to takeprior permission for organizing meetings and processions”.
“There are occasions when grievances against the authorities force students to organise meetings, processions or hold sit-in demonstrations. For instance, when the authorities did not open Eden Hindu Hostel (boys’) or the Salt Lake Hostel (girls’) even after the campus reopened for physical classes post-Covid, what options did students have other than to hold meetings and sit-ins to protest,” said Roy.
“How can we be expected to take permission from the authorities for that? This is repressive.”
Presidency students who had been staying on the campus since February 16, 2022, to protest the university’s decision to not reopen Eden Hindu Hostel forced their way into the hostel after a protest.
Maity, said: “We have sought opinions from the students about the draft code of conduct. Let them respond.”