Thiruvananthapuram: All is not well at the Government Law College, Barton Hill, where the ongoing strike led by the SFI is turning bitter with each passing day. On Wednesday, the students tried to infuse some energy into the camp by organising a violin recital at the agitation ‘pandal.’ Third year LLB student (in the five-year LLB course) Aashish flaunted his skill with the strings, while his companions remained rather silent.
"We wanted to convey the message that we are a determined and non-violent group who wish to communicate our demands to the authorities, who seem to have no time for our pleas. They do not want to hear us, but they must have heard the music," said Nikhil Balan, an SFI member and a student of the college.
The agitation had begun when the college reopened after summer vacation. According to SFI leaders, the college authorities brought out an order asking the 65 inmates of the 90-room men’s hostel to vacate before June 10. Before that, the students had no inkling of such a matter nor were they updated.
"The authorities said that they were planning a girl’s hostel in place of the men’s hostel, which is ridiculous. Firstly, it is not a secure place to set up a hostel for girls. Secondly, they want us to be shifted to the University Hostel, where the inmates are arts/science and PG students. We might not be given preference when more applicants come there," said a striking student.
The students allege that the hostel is not functioning anymore though the students have not vacated so far. The electricity connection has been snapped, the mess has been closed down and there is no water. Amidst the protest, the viva voce of the final year students also was postponed.
"The principal is not even ready to listen to us. We wanted to give the letter of demands, but she has not called us for talks," said a student. Though City Express tried contacting the principal S Usha on Wednesday evening a couple of times, she was not available for her comment.
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