Engagement with Student Concerns
The Registrar of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, recently conducted a meeting with students who have been protesting over various grievances, including the suppression of dissent within the university. During this meeting, the administration committed to addressing several issues within specific timeframes, although some discussions remain ongoing.
Time-Bound Resolutions
A document created from the meeting delineates actions to be taken immediately and extends to commitments spanning up to three months. Immediate actions include the activation of notice boards and the publication of meeting minutes. Commitments made include a new hostel construction within three months. Students await the implementation of these commitments by July 13, with protests set to resume on July 14 if promises are not upheld.
Immediate Measures and Commitments
Among the immediate measures, a formal warning will be issued to a warden over inappropriate remarks, and a review meeting with all hostel wardens will address behavioral concerns. It was also agreed that wardens will not enter students’ rooms without written justification, and unnecessary bag checks at hostel gates will cease. Moreover, any staff found coercing students into signing unreasonable undertakings will face actions, including suspension.
A particular incident involving a female student being forced to sign an undertaking will see a warden at the extended campus suspended, as per the document.
Commitments on Student Safety and Welfare
Commitments include ensuring an adequate supply of sanitary products in hostels, restrictions on personal contact by security and housekeeping staff with students, and the urgent installation of CCTV cameras at the Dongargaon campus. Students demand immediate action against harassment or intimidation of women, with investigations and consequences where necessary. A formal complaint regarding incidents at the extended campus will be filed with the Chief Warden (Girls) by week’s end.
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Transport and Facility Improvements
The document addresses transport facility inadequacies for students at MNLU’s Dongargaon extended hostels. Four air-conditioned buses are expected to be available soon, with a weekend service subject to demand. An ambulance will remain on standby at both campuses round-the-clock. Additionally, a policy enabling a female student to have a male companion in an ambulance, with her consent, has been proposed.
Academic and Administrative Concerns
A draft of hostel regulations is to be circulated for student feedback within a week. A written update on the recruitment of a Placement Officer is also expected within this timeframe to address internship and placement support issues. Concerns regarding printing fees paid by students without adequate printed material availability will be addressed with a written explanation, and reimbursement if necessary.
Within a month, a written assurance is expected about the commencement of new girls’ hostel construction within three months, starting operations for the canteen, and completing a financial audit.
Further Administrative Actions
Students raised issues about fees charged during the BA LLB (Hons. in Adjudication and Justicing) program’s apprenticeship semester away from campus. Relief measures can be pursued through representation. The appointment of essential staff, particularly a Librarian, is emphasized to ensure academic resource access.
Due to delayed government funding affecting hostel construction, a student body will draft a representation to university and state government officials, including the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Chief Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. A follow-up meeting is requested to review progress on all commitments.
