Staff Correspondent
Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 13: The Member of Parliament from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, has expressed strong support for the ongoing peaceful protest by students of JNRM College, stating that their agitation against Deemed University has remained disciplined, constitutional, and justified. Addressing island residents and the student community in a video message, the MP said the students had been protesting for five consecutive days without causing inconvenience to the public, damaging property, or blocking roads, and emphasized that their demands are genuine rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Mr. Ray stated that repeated administrative lapses in this entire process had eventually pushed students to take to the streets. He remarked that the responsibility for the prevailing unrest rests with the administration for not holding adequate consultations with students, associations, political parties, and public representatives before introducing major educational changes.
Referring to the sudden transition of colleges that were earlier affiliated with Pondicherry University, the MP said the decision appeared to have been imposed without proper dialogue. He appealed to the authorities not to implement the move in haste and instead engage in meaningful discussions with the student community. Mr. Ray announced that he would personally visit the protest site at 9:30 AM on 14 February 2026 to interact directly with the students, listen to their concerns, and decide the future course of action after consultation.
He also expressed concern over reports that college gates of DBRAIT were allegedly closed when students wished to the ongoing peaceful protest near JNRM, terming such actions inappropriate. Praising the students for maintaining dignity despite harsh weather and personal discomfort, he urged them to continue their protest peacefully and avoid confrontation. He extended gratitude to various student leaders, councillors, and community members who stood in solidarity with the demonstrators.
Highlighting his efforts at the national level, Mr. Ray informed that he had earlier taken up the matter with the Prime Minister in December 2025 and had recently submitted written representations again to the Union Education Minister, requesting reconsideration of the deemed university proposal. He also mentioned attempting to meet the Union Home Minister to convey the urgency of the issue and seek timely intervention.
Appealing to district officials and police authorities, the MP urged that students should not be intimidated and that police presence near the protest site be minimized to prevent fear among young demonstrators. Instead, he requested the administration to provide basic facilities such as drinking water and medical assistance for students who had been sitting in the sun and rain for extended hours. He described the students as simple, sincere, and peace-loving individuals seeking only academic security and clarity about their future.
Concluding his address, Mr. Ray assured students and parents that future steps would be taken only after collective consultation and public opinion.
