Patna: Teachers, non-teaching employees and students across several colleges across state on Wednesday staged protests against the new university ordinance and the proposed merger of women’s colleges with Mata Sita Women’s University.Wearing black badges, the protesters held demonstrations on campuses, raised slogans against the govt’s decisions and formed human chains at several institutions.The protesters alleged that key decisions affecting higher education were being taken without adequate consultation with stakeholders. They expressed concern that the measures could adversely affect the state’s higher education system and pave the way for the expansion of private universities.Addressing the gathering, teachers Santosh Kumar, Shailesh Kumar, Sapna Barua, Venkatesh Kumar, Rohit Kumar, Tripurari Prasad, Deepak Kumar, Bhola Singh and Hina Rani, among others, urged the govt to reconsider and withdraw what they termed “controversial” decisions.The speakers demanded meaningful consultations with teachers, non-teaching employees and students before any major policy changes in higher education are implemented. They warned that if the govt failed to review the decisions, the agitation would be intensified in phases across the state.Students joined teaching and non-teaching staff in large numbers during the protests.Organisers said the demonstrations reflected growing opposition within academic institutions to the new ordinance and the proposed inclusion of women’s colleges under Mata Sita Women’s University.—
