VTU students call off strike

The students of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) called off their indefinite strike on Friday evening after a few students fell sick.

Thousands of students were protesting against the VTU management demanding a one-time exam, supplementary or relaxation in the carry-over system.

“A few of the students fell ill. We were here from the past three days, beating cold, rain and sunshine, which now has taken a toll on our health,” said a student of the Global Academy of Technology.

“However, this has not reached the authorities. Worried about our future, most of our parents requested us to peacefully end the strike and come back home. So we called off the strike and submitted a request to Governor office,” the student added.

The students were requesting the authorities to hear their grievances from the past three days. They also extended the two-day strike to an indefinite one.

‘VTU officials indifferent’

“None of the top officials from the VTU or government authorities tried to reach us and solve the issue amicably. Even when we called the vice chancellor, there was no proper response from him. So, for now, we have decided to call off the strike,” the student added. “We plan to fight against the VTU legally and will take a call shortly on this,” the student said.

In the recent council meeting, the VTU had relaxed the carry-over system and allowed students to carry two subjects from the second year to get promoted to the final year. This benefited nearly 5,000 students.

However, the protesting students were demanding one last chance in any way, which would benefit 50,000 students.