Protests only by small section of students: Presidency VC

Presidency University Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia today said she is under gherao by a small section of students while a majority have no issues.

"I have got emails from many students who are expressing their solidarity. They are supporting us. The ones who are protesting are a very small group but very loud," Lohia told PTI.

Confined to her office room in the College street campus since about 5 pm yesterday, she said she is now feeling sick and tired.

A doctor has also been called for her health check-up.

Avoiding a re-run of last year's impasse at Jadavpur University, where Vice-Chancellor Abhijit Chakrabarti had called police inside the campus at night to lift a gherao by students, Lohia has decided against police intervention.

The Registrar, officials and some other teachers are also confined inside the campus along with the VC.

The state-run university's convocation is scheduled later in the evening where Governor K N Tripathi, also the Chancellor of the university, and eminent scientist Padmanabhan Balaram will be present.

"I do not know how I will go but I will try to attend the convocation," Lohia said.

When asked whether the administration is negotiating with the agitators, she said, "I have been talking to them but they just do not want to listen. They don't want any dialogue. All they want is my resignation."

The VC has refused to put down her papers saying she has always been working in the interest of the students.