The Central University of Karnataka (CUK) will now remain closed till November 9, an extension of six more days.
The CUK had initially decided to remain closed for eight days from October 24 and reopen on November 3, after a student died and others fell sick due to contaminated and untreated drinking water in the hostels at the main campus. Two more students were admitted to hospitals after developing complications on Friday.
Meanwhile, CUK Court Member Dr Kiran Deshmukh has criticised the vice-chancellor and the registrar for their absence from the campus at a time when the university faces a crisis. He has made a complaint to the President of India, who is also the Visitor of the CUK, to order an inquiry and take action against the persons responsible for the crisis.
Students have been in a fix over declaration of closure of the university and hostels for 17 long days. Students from far-off places in the north and northeastern parts of the country have no facility to return to their natives. However, students from Karnataka and neighbouring states have already started moving out of the campus. Out of over 1,300 students, about 300 are said to be from north India.
In the absence of responsible authorities, the Dean of School of Languages and Humanities, Shivaganga Rumma, has been left to deal with the angry students. She neither has authority nor resources at her command to take any decision.