The Politics of
Resistance
(Writter was the magazine committe member of wider stand and the general secratery of Students council 2015-
2016 which brought out wider stand)
Jishn EN
UGC MRP Project Fellow
Department of EMMC
Pondicherry University
This is the fourth time in the last three years that Pondicherry
University hit the headlines of the national media. In 2013,
University suspended two girls for filing a sexual harassment case.
Later the suspension was stayed by Madras High Court after the
continuous struggle. In the beginning of the academic year 2015,
PU was again in turbulence. After an independent inquiry found
the then Vice Chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy had submitted a
fake resume to the VC selection committee, a Joint Action Council
of students, teachers and non-teaching staff lead by Pondicherry
University Students’ Movement (PUSM) went on indefinite hunger
strike for her removal. And that protest was also victorious as
Chandra was sent on compulsory leave and later dismissed by
the President of India. Soon after, in the December of 2015, for
the first time in the history of PU, a left alliance was elected for
its Students Council (PUSC). The alliance of SFI and ASA swept
all general seats with thumping majority defeating the alliance of
ruling local Congress fraction (a former NDA ally) and ABVP.
That was the fourth victory of SFI alliances in the south Indian
central universities after HCU, EFLU, Kerala CU
The new council had many challenges as they had no routes
to follow. The power of PUSC was comparatively very small.
The only job of the council was to take up students’ issues to
the administration and find a solution for it. Later, PUSC lead
an indefinite hunger strike for various issues. Basic rights of
the students like reservations, women’s’ security, exit option for
integrated students were not adequate or denied. And still, the fight
is incomplete.
Theyyam 10