Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Feb 22: The Joint Action Forum will file a case in court on Monday morning against the proposed Deemed University status, senior leaders announced while addressing media persons as they sat alongside protesting students in front of JNRM on Saturday. The decision to move court comes amid continuing student demonstrations demanding the establishment of a Central University instead. According to the leaders, discussions are underway with legal representatives, and further strategies will be finalized in the coming days.
Mr. TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of ANTCC and a member of the Joint Action Forum, thanked the media for covering the agitation from day one and said the recent Andaman Bandh was successful. He stated that after the bandh, it was initially decided that students would stage protests from 2 pm to 6 pm, but fresh demands from students are being considered and the Joint Action Forum will decide whether to extend the protest hours. He also informed that a candle march involving students and parents is being planned, which is likely to culminate at Tiranga Park.
He asserted that the protest would continue and that the Forum is prepared to escalate the matter, including approaching Delhi if necessary. Mr. Bhasker appealed to the administration to resolve the issue at the earliest to prevent students from being forced to intensify their agitation. He reiterated that the main demand remains clear: the Deemed University proposal is not acceptable and a Central University is required. He alleged that the present Deemed University framework lacks clarity on quality education, syllabus structure, examination format, correction centres and result mechanisms, and further questioned the affidavit reportedly filed in court claiming compliance with UGC norms, terming it a serious matter that requires independent expert verification.
Highlighting concerns over higher education access in the islands, Mr. Bhasker said nearly 10,000 to 12,000 students pass Plus Two annually, while local higher education capacity accommodates only about 60 per cent, forcing many families to mortgage property to send children outside. He expressed concern that under a Deemed University model, students may face higher fees and degrees with limited recognition in other states or abroad, affecting employment prospects. He urged the administration to continue affiliation with Pondicherry University until a Central University is established.
Me. Tamil Selvam, Spokesperson of ANTCC, claimed that students participating in the sit-in protest have faced attempts to disperse them and alleged that some students reported pressure and intimidation, including being photographed and questioned. He said the students are protesting not for themselves alone but for the future generations of the islands. Mr. Selvam argued that affordable education would be at risk under a Deemed University system, citing concerns over potential fee escalation in professional and general courses. He emphasized that many students come from economically weaker backgrounds across various parts of the islands and may not be able to afford higher costs.
He further informed that the Joint Action Forum will soon call a meeting to finalize the date of the candle march and public gathering, and that legal proceedings are expected to come up for hearing shortly. Expressing hope in the judicial process, he appealed to parents and the public not to abandon the students’ cause midway, urging collective support to safeguard the academic future of Andaman and Nicobar students.
