‘Every aspect of Savitribai Phule Pune University refectory incident to be checked into’
R S Mali, former vice-chancellor, Kaviyatri Bahinabai North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, is heading the committee formed by the varsity to look into the issues at the refectory
The high-level committee of six members which was formed by Nitin Karmalkar, vice-chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) to look into the issues at the refectory, has started their work.
“We have completed the in-camera enquiry of all the 12 students involved and now, we will be recording the statements of the security guards and others who were present at the refectory, when the incident happened. The next meeting of the committee will be on April 30, after which the final report will be submitted to the university,” said R S Mali, former vice-chancellor, Kaviyatri Bahinabai North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, who is heading the committee.
Mali revealed that the enquiry of the 12 students were video recorded. “It is a sensitive issue as it involves the future of students and a police complaint has been lodged against them. So, we are checking every aspect of the incident, checking on who were ones involves, the quality of refectory food and the possible solutions to resolve the issue permanently. As of now, the enquiry is going on and we have not arrived at any conclusion,” he said.
Meanwhile, the students have not accepted the charges against them and have demanded that the police complaint to be taken back by SPPU. They have given an ultimatum till April 23 to the SPPU administration, after which they will be going on hunger strike.
“The enquiry has started and we have met once to discuss the issue. In the April 30 meeting, a probable solution may come out and a report will be submitted,” said Prabhakar Desai, student welfare officer, SPPU.
A series of incidents have been reported by the students where worms were found in the food served at the SPPU refectory on March 17, 19, 20,23. Following this, SPPU administration issued a circular with new rules which were effective from April 1. According the the new system, it was decided to close down the coupon system at the refectory and instead serve food only to the members. Students protested against the new rule and the university filed a police complaint against 12 agitating students.