‘Adopt balanced approach to curb student protests’
Ganderbal, Oct 12: Addressing the challenges of student protests and law-and-order situations in educational institutions, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) Sujit Kumar, Monday emphasised the need for university administrations to adopt a balanced, firm and proactive approach that combines dialogue, preventive measures and strict adherence to the law.
Addressing the participants of the two-day national workshop on “Reimagining Higher Education Administration for Viksit Bharat@2047”, IGP Kashmir referred to the instances where students resort to agitations over demands, sometimes without bringing their grievances to the notice of the administration.
He urged the educational administrators and institutional heads to distinguish between legitimate concerns and unacceptable demands, resolve issues through timely engagement and stand firm against unlawful activities.
Sujit Kumar explained that while educational campuses enjoy a special institutional environment, this does not place unlawful activities beyond the purview of the law, and the police can intervene when required, particularly upon a formal request from the competent university authority.
The IGP Kashmir quoted several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and said, “The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provides a clear legal framework for dealing with unlawful assemblies, obstruction of public servants and rioting. University campuses cannot become a shield for unlawful activities, and those who violate the law must be dealt with in accordance with its provisions. Under various Sections of the Sanhita, unlawful assembly, liability for offences committed in pursuit of a common objective, and rioting carry specific legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines. Institutional heads must, therefore, uphold the law while exercising sound judgement and ensuring that student grievances are addressed through dialogue and appropriate administrative channels.”
