MAPUSA
In a move that has stirred a controversy of sorts, the Goa University Students Council (GUSC), led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has scheduled meetings with students of prominent colleges in Mapusa.
The meetings, termed as #CampusPravas, were planned for Tuesday (March 26) at Saraswat College, DMC and St Xavier’s College.
The significance of these meetings is amplified as they coincide with the enforcement of the model code of conduct due to ongoing parliamentary elections.
Notably, the GUSC Chairman, Akshay Shet along with Sudip Naik was expected to address the ‘Samasya Shodh Yatra’ during these interactions.
Interestingly, the Registrar of Goa University had issued a letter to the GUSC, instructing college managements to facilitate these meetings.
The heart of the matter lies in the affiliation of ABVP with the ruling BJP, raising suspicions of ulterior motives behind the scheduled meeting.
Soon after receiving the message late Sunday evening, the management of the St Xavier’s College complained to the State Election Commission about the probability of violation of the code of conduct and requesting it to take action in the matter.
There was no indication whether the SEC took cognisance of the complaint, as a group of students of the “ABVP-led GUSC” arrived in St Xavier’s College on Tuesday noon and sought an audience with the students’ council of the college.
“A letter from the registrar of the GU requested us to allow the representatives of the GUSC to meet the college students’ council. We gave them the permission as directed by the Registrar,” a faculty member of St Xavier’s college informed.
Similarly, Saraswat College and DMC allowed the GUSC representatives to meet only with the respective college councils.
Principal of Saraswat College, Santosh Patkar, mentioned discussions regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) orientation and career placement status during the meeting with GUSC representatives.
According to Principal of DMC, D B Arolkar, the GUSC students were conducting a survey, necessitating the meeting with the college council.
Nevertheless, the timing of the #CampusPravas coinciding with the end of the academic year and amidst the election code of conduct has sparked questions about its intentions.
The Congress expressed surprise at the development and wanted the SEC to take note of the election code violation.
“It is shocking that when the Code of Conduct is in force and elections round the corner, that ABVP is trying to hold such interactions. Has ABVP taken permission for the meeting? The EC needs to take note of this code violation and take action in accordance with law,” said Carlos Ferreira, Congress leader and the party’s North Goa Coordinator for Parliamentary elections.
