Pune college students allege managements of arm-twisting

Even as the statewide student audit programme of the government concluded on Wednesday, allegations of arm-twisting and offer of incentives by college administrations started making the rounds in the city.

Several city collegians told DNA that they had been threatened with dire consequences if they did not attend college between October 3 and 5, the dates of the audit. They were even promised ‘free’ attendance in future if they came to college on days of the audit.

Starting on October 3, a three-day audit took place of all students studying in schools or colleges from standard I to XII — both aided and unaided — where special squads visited institutions and checked roll calls.

They even verified the students by meeting them personally. The index finger of every student was inked to ensure that the same student cannot be passed off for someone else in another class or college.

A few students from Wadia College said the college management had instructed teachers to inform students to remain present in classes or face dire consequences. “We were told that if we weren’t present in class, it would reflect badly during our exams and a strict view would be taken by the management,” said a first year junior college student.

Another student said that teachers had assured them of ‘free attendance’ if they attended all classes on all three days. “Actually it was not known when the squad would reach, so we were told that we have to attend all classes and ensure we do not bunk on those three days. In return, they promised to give us free attendance for a week,” claimed another student.

Principal Bhagwan Thakur rubbished the claims, stating that attendance was never a problem for them. “Yes, we did inform students in advance and told them strictly to attend classes and not loiter on campus. But we didn’t promise incentives in return,” he clarified.

At Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s Commerce College (MMCC) too students said they were asked to be present on days of audit, unless they wanted to invite the wrath of the management. “We were told to come to college, no matter what happens, as they said too much absenteeism would reflect badly. In return, we were not offered any incentives; but yes, we did get veiled threats of exam results getting affected if we don’t co-operate,” said a first year student.

Principal MD Lawrence too denied any such diktat to students. “I didn’t even issue instructions to inform students of the audit, forget about compulsion to attend classes. Students are anyway expected to attend all lectures,” he said.

At Fergusson College, the audit didn’t even take place because the junior college classes have been suspended due to board exams, confirmed Rekha Palshikar, vice-principal.