By Disha Gupta
Over 1,500 students from Pune, Ahilyanagar, and Nashik, part of ABVP, protested to demand quick reforms after they were frustrated with the administration’s lack of response to their repeated concerns.
According to student complaints, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organized a
large protest known as “Maha Aakrosh Morcha” against Savitribai Phule Pune University
(SPPU) on Thursday at the university’s main building. According to the organization, students
have been dealing with serious problems for the last two to three years, such as inadequate
examination department procedures, unsuccessful attempts to develop free education programs
for female students, and a lack of basic amenities. Over 1,500 students of ABVP from Pune,
Ahilyanagar, and Nashik organized a group to demand quick reforms after they were frustrated
with the administration’s lack of response to their repeated concerns.
Students claimed that their fundamental rights had been violated by the updated re-evaluation
criteria. Acting officers currently have control over key roles like Dean, Controller of
Examinations, and Registrar. Issues with food quality, drug usage, pest infestations, hostel safety
and hygiene are just a few of the everyday struggles faced by the students living on campus.
ABVP has made about 61 demands, such as releasing the annual academic calendar at the start
of the year, taking tough measures against bogus colleges, and offering photocopies of answer
sheets for ₹100.
Western Maharashtra State Minister Atharva Kulkarni, ABVP, stated,”The university
administration has been implementing anti-student practices for years. In spite of numerous
representations, conversations, and follow-ups, the Vice-Chancellor has ignored these important
concerns. Students from all talukas in the districts of Nashik, Ahilyanagar, and Pune took part in
the protest. We will keep fighting until all requests are fulfilled because this is a victory for
ordinary students.”
The SPPU’s Vice Chancellor, Suresh Gosavi, intervened during the protest and promised to
adhere with the demands. Gosavi promised that the problems will be fixed and all requests will
be examined with the appropriate authorities for future action. ABVP ensured to escalate their
agitation, if the demands were not fulfilled quickly, however the protest was temporarily
suspended after receiving assurances.