Patna, June 10: The students’ federation of the College of Arts and Crafts today called for a protest against the proposed inclusion of the college in the newly built Aryabhatt Knowledge University.

The federation has said that if their demands are not met, they will go in for protest against the government. Regarding this, a letter will also be sent to the chief minister, the education minister, vice-chancellor of Patna University and chief justice of high court, Patna, by the federation.

Addressing a news meet, Rakesh Kumar, the president, Arts and Crafts Students’ Federation, said: “College of Arts and Crafts is the only art and craft institution in entire Bihar and Jharkhand. Some people have conspired to demolish the institution. A few people are working to transfer the College of Arts and Crafts, which is running under Patna University presently to Aryabhatt Knowledge University. If this happens, the college would be out of bounds for students hailing from lower-middle class families.”

“The college neither has permanent faculties nor does it have a permanent principal. The syllabus also has got no relevance. The students have decided to initiate a signature campaign that will be finally submitted to different government officials including the chief minister and education minister. The students have also formed the Arts and Crafts Students’ Federation, which is associated with All India Students’ Federation, Bihar. If our demands are not met, the students will definitely go for the protest,” said Anima Kumari, the secretary, Arts and Crafts Students’ Federation.

Students have asked for a modernised hostel. They have demanded that Intermediate should be the minimum criteria for admission into bachelor in fine arts course. Besides, increasing the course duration to four years like other art colleges is also on their list of demands. They have also demanded starting a course in masters in fine arts.