Ghanashyam Nath, principal of Gauhati Commerce College. Picture by Eastern Projections

Aug. 5: In an apparent bid to pacify the agitating students, the Gauhati Commerce College administration today agreed to reconsider the expulsion of two BCom students. However, the classes could not be held in the college even today as Gauhati Commerce College Students Union (GCCSU) continued to boycott their classes.

Addressing the media this afternoon, college principal Ghanashyam Nath said that he is ready to excuse the two students who were expelled from the college for extorting money from freshers, if the students seek an apology.

The principal said the action of the student union is illegal as they went on strike without giving him sufficient time to discuss the demands.

Nath said that the college authorities expelled two students, Bidyut Chakraborty and Navneet Kumar, for collecting money from the newcomers during admission into higher secondary classes.

According to him, Kumar was caught red-handed by two teachers with the help of police personnel deployed at the college campus.

However, the students’ union refused to withdraw their boycott call unless all their demands are fulfilled. A meeting held this evening between union members and the college authority concluded with both sides accusing each other of adopting a stubborn attitude.

“The meeting failed because the college authority has declined to accept our demands. We have decided to further intensify our agitation from tomorrow,” the GCCSU general secretary, Arjun Rangpee, said.

The GCCSU insisted that before any expulsions, the union must be consulted and a show cause notice issued to the student to defend his position.

They also claimed that the dress code and uniform colour were introduced by the college authority without being accepted by the GCCSU and students are being compelled to purchase low quality clothes at a higher price from five shops selected by the college authority. On the other hand, the principal claimed that three meetings were held for discussions on the introduction of uniforms. “The last meeting was held on June 13 this year for selection of the colour of the uniform. The students’ union was given the liberty to choose the colour but they failed to do so,” Nath said.

He further said that as per Gauhati University norms, at least 75 per cent attendance in an academic year or semester is compulsory.

“As the examinations of both the second and fourth semester of MCom have been preponed and on humanitarian grounds we have relaxed the norms and allowed students who have attended at least 10 classes,” he said.

“Only 15 students who have not attended even 10 classes out of total 100 were not allowed to fill up the examination forms. We have already given them concession and it is unjust for the students’ union to ask for more,” Nath argued.

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