AIL Mohali: Students Call Off Indefinite Protests As They Await Implementation Of Assurances

The strike that sparked on October 16, witnessed the students camping outdoors with the following demands:

1. Establishment of a democratically elected student representative body;
2. Justification of the yearly hike in fees against the incumbent facilities;
3. Repeal of arbitrary provisions of the code of conduct;
4. Student feedback in the appointment of teachers and periodic feedback of already appointed teachers;
5. Upgradation of services provided in cafeteria and mess;
6. Inquiry regarding the conduct of the Female Wardens;
7. Clearly define the composition of the Disciplinary Board;
8. Lifting hostel curfew which presently restricts student movement within the campus post 11 pm.

The students alleged that during their legitimate protests, the Institute constantly threatened them of taking disciplinary action against absentees from the classes and offenders of hostel rules. Moreover, there was blatant violation of fundamental rights of students inasmuch as the guards, acting under administrative orders, captured images of sleeping students late at night so as to exhibit a "pre-scripted" misrepresentation of facts. The students were also warned against approaching the media with intimation that any student who contacts any person from media shall be penalized for 'bringing disrepute to the college'. Allegedly, certain handpicked students were also harassed by the higher officials in the army who personally intimidated their parents.

Despite such adversities and "authoritarian wrath", the student protestors continued to voice their demands until the following decisions were taken:

With regards the first demand, an interim student body consisting of 5 representatives from each batch has been democratically nominated, which will draft a charter for appointment of a democratically elected permanent student body, by November 15.

In due consideration of the third demand, the provisions of the code of conduct have been declared to be under review. Meanwhile, a draft titled, 'Recommendations to the Code of Conduct' has been submitted by the newly appointed interim student body which is has been forwarded to the Chairman for due deliberation.

In partial fulfillment of the fourth demand, the institute has set up a system of feedback on the existing faculty.

In complete fulfillment of the fifth demand, the administration has decided to mandate a system of weekly feedbacks and checks on the service providers, viz.-a-.viz., messing and café. It has further empowered the nominated student body to look into immediate redressal of complaints and to participate in hiring of the said service providers. Interestingly, one day after the strike was called off, insects were found in the lunch served. However, the students were served fresh lunch by 2:15 pm, and unprecedentedly, a fine worth Rs. 1000 was imposed on the mess contractor.

With regards the sixth demand, a formal complaint requesting the initiation of Internal Complaints Proceedings against the Warden (Girls Hostel) has been forwarded by the Principal to the Chairman.

In complete fulfillment of the seventh demand, the management has decided that one nominated student will be a part of the Board of Inquiry to ensure fair hearing in disciplinary proceedings.

Whereas the students have received assurances with regards the fulfillment of the above demands, ground level implementation of these promises is yet to be seen. While calling off the strike on October 21, the students of AIL said "even though the strike is concluded, the protest is ongoing". They also organized a candle march on October 22, to mark the relentless and ongoing contribution of the student community in achieving its objective, that too in an institute which allegedly did not earlier allow students to air their grievances collectively.

With this remark, the students look forward to seek redressal of their remaining "unheard and unanswered" demands through the democratically elected student body. They also expect to seek justice for every "baseless" disciplinary action speculated to follow the unprecedented strike.