The students said the varsity accepted some of their demands, but only verbally. They gave the authorities 10 days to implement the steps.
Published Jan 24, 2023 | 7:29 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 24, 2023 | 7:56 PM
Students protesting outside the Administrative Block on 23 January at the Hyderabad-based English and Foreign Language University (EFLU). (Supplied)
Students of the English and Foreign Language University (EFLU) protested on Monday, 23 January, on the college premises at Amberpet in Hyderabad demanding improvement in medical and other facilities.
The protest, called by the EFLU student collective comprising several students’ unions and individuals, comes after a 22-year-old student — identified as Anjali Chillar from Haryana — died on 21 January after allegedly falling off her hostel building.
While initial reports said it was a case of suicide, the Osmania University police told South First after an investigation that the death was an accident.
Meanwhile, the students said that the incident brought to light the lack of prevailing infrastructural facilities at the university.
“After Anjali’s incident, some other students also fainted, but there was no doctor on campus to attend them,” a member of the collective on the condition of anonymity told South First.
Meanwhile, a university official told South First that it was committed to working on the demands of the students in a time-bound manner.
The students, who were protesting in front of the administrative block of the university, have drafted a petition with five demands.
Slogans such as “open the health centre 24×7”, “we need fully functional ambulances”, “open all gates”, “respect our existence or expect our resistance”, and “mental health matters” were raised by the students.
While the first demand was for the availability of a doctor and medical staff on the night shift, the second addressed the inactive counselling centre.
EFLU students demand better medical facilities and infrastructure. (Supplied)
“It has not been running for the past month. So, we asked for an immediate counsellor and later a permanent counsellor,” the member alleged.
Next was the increase in the number of ambulances on campus.
“Right now, there is only one ambulance for around 2,000 students. So, we have asked for one more,” the member claimed.
The students also wanted the university to ensure unimpeded passage via two main entrances, which they said are currently closed.
“There are three main gates and only one is open. The relation between the incident and our demand is that this gate is around 500 metres nearer to the hospital. So it would be helpful, especially in emergency times,” the member explained.
Lastly, the students asked the EFLU authorities to release an official obituary or conduct a condolence meeting in Anjali’s memory.
“The administration conducted a condolence meeting but did not inform us. As a result, most of the students missed it,” said the member.
The EFLU student’s protest continued after the evening. (Supplied)
As per students, the university administration agreed to a few of their demands verbally, while they asked for an official written response.
“They said that they agreed to the 24×7 health centre and a permanent counsellor. As for increasing the number of ambulances on campus, they said they would improve the condition of the existing ambulance and think about another ambulance,” the member saod.
About the last two demands, opening other entrances to the college and another condolence meeting, the member said the university was reluctant on them.
“We have given them 10 days of time to implement all our demans. We hope they will work on it,” the member added.
Several EFLU students gathered at the protest. (Supplied)
A university official said that it would soon appoint a trained and qualified permanent counsellor, and also hold special counselling sessions.
The same goes for the 24×7 medical centre and the ambulance, he said.
Regarding the entrances, the official cited security as the reason behind two of the three being closed.
“It is an accident-prone junction, which opens in front of Osmania University. So we keep it closed,” the official explained.
He added: “We informed the students about the condolence meeting. Posters were put up, and some of them even spoke at the meeting.”
