Kolkata: Calcutta University has urged its affiliated colleges to hold online classes until the election results are declared, as many campuses have been occupied by central forces or are being used for poll preparations.
Official Notice Issued
The notice, signed by Diptendu Chatterjee, acting inspector of colleges, stated, "All undergraduate classes in colleges and institutes specially occupied by central forces due to the ensuing election, affiliated to the University of Calcutta, will be held in online mode from April 22 to May 5." The directive was issued after the university observed that most colleges had to suspend offline classes due to election-related activities.
Vice-Chancellor's Statement
Calcutta University Vice-Chancellor Asutosh Ghosh explained the rationale behind the decision. "We came to know that most colleges have been occupied for poll preparations. On the other hand, several students from different colleges, as well as from the university, have gone to their districts to cast their votes, resulting in a loss of classes for at least a few days. The decision was taken so that all these students, including those who are far from their respective colleges and the university, can attend online classes from their homes in different districts. We want students to attend the maximum number of classes, which will only be possible if the classes are shifted to online mode."
Since taking charge as vice-chancellor, Ghosh has aimed to increase the number of class hours to ensure each semester has no fewer than 90 teaching days. Currently, students in semesters four and six are attending classes ahead of their semester examinations.
Impact on Colleges
This year, several colleges affiliated with Calcutta University had to suspend physical classes due to the early occupation of campuses by central forces, compared with previous elections. The university also had to postpone first-semester examinations in the middle of the schedule for the same reason. The second phase of the election is scheduled for April 29, and poll preparations across colleges have already begun.
Asutosh College principal Manas Kabi said, "We declared classes suspended from yesterday because poll preparations have already started, so it was not possible to run physical classes simultaneously. However, we immediately prepared a schedule and started online classes for the next few days."
Jaydeep Sarangi, principal of New Alipore College, stated, "We have suspended physical classes from today until May 5 because most of our three buildings will be occupied from tomorrow because central forces will enter the campus. We have shifted to online mode following the instructions given by the university. However, we have also decided to suspend online classes on April 29, polling day, and on May 4, the day results are declared."
