In a heated session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Congress legislators brought to light the serious irregularities and subsequent violent protests at the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) campus in Bhopal. The issue, pertaining to the Kotri-Kalan area of Sehore district, was raised through a calling attention motion, sparking a significant debate on student welfare and administrative accountability.
Congress MLAs Allege Management Failures and Demand Action
The motion was actively moved by Congress MLAs Dinesh Jain Boss, Hemant Katare, and Mahesh Parmar. They launched a sharp critique against the VIT Bhopal management, accusing it of being slack and irresponsible. The legislators alleged that the management has been terrorising students while failing to provide even basic amenities such as safe drinking water and proper food on campus.
The opposition members strongly demanded the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the university management. Their primary concern was the safeguarding of the future of the approximately 3000 students enrolled at the campus. They emphatically stated that the future of these children should not be spoiled due to administrative lapses. Furthermore, they called for the cancellation of any FIRs that might have been lodged against the protesting students during the unrest on November 25.
Minister's Assurance: No Student's Future at Risk
Responding to the concerns raised, the State's Higher Education Minister, Indar Singh Parmar, offered a crucial assurance to the assembly. He firmly stated that not a single student would be adversely affected by the incidents that rocked the VIT Bhopal campus. Minister Parmar clarified the government's stance, placing the blame squarely on the university's administration.
"I assure you that not a single student's future will be ruined because of this problem," the minister declared. "It arose due to the management of this university and not the students. Our government is committed to this and under no circumstances will any action be taken against the students that would ruin their future."
Admission of Long-Standing Grievances and Security Lapses
In his reply, Minister Parmar admitted to several key points that validated the opposition's claims. He acknowledged that there had been continuous complaints from the campus, which had led to widespread resentment among the students for a long period. This admission pointed to systemic issues rather than an isolated incident.
Another significant point conceded by the minister related to campus security. He confirmed that under normal circumstances, no outsider should be able to access the college campus. This statement implicitly addressed potential security failures that may have contributed to the escalation of the protests on November 25, where external elements might have played a role.
The minister's comprehensive response, combining assurances with admissions of fault, indicates the state government's intent to intervene and mediate between the aggrieved student body and the private university management, prioritizing academic continuity and student security above all.
