Vadodara : Protest Against MSU Quota Cut Continues, ABVP Targets Vice Chancellor

VADODARA, GUJARAT : The ongoing agitation against Maharaja Sayajirao University’s (MSU) decision to reduce the local student quota has intensified, with the focus now shifting to the university’s Vice Chancellor (VC), Vijay Kumar Srivastava. In a bold move, posters condemning VC Srivastava were plastered across the MSU campus and Kamati Baug area in Vadodara by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

Students participating in the protest have accused VC Srivastava of turning a blind eye to their grievances and refusing to engage in dialogue. They allege that attempts to raise concerns with the VC have been thwarted by his security personnel, exacerbating frustrations among the student body.

According to student union leaders, the parents of local students who recently cleared their class 12 exams are also apprehensive about their children’s admission prospects. The decision to reduce the local student quota from 70% to 50% threatens to drastically impact the opportunities available to local students, affecting approximately 12,000 individuals who previously benefited from the quota system.

In a satirical demonstration of their opposition to VC Srivastava’s alleged indifference, ABVP students humorously pasted posters across the campus declaring, “The Vice-Chancellor is missing.” The move serves as a symbolic representation of their dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the quota issue and their demand for accountability.

The protest underscores the deep-seated concerns within the student community regarding the university’s decision and its implications for local students’ access to higher education. As tensions escalate, students are adamant in their demand for a reversal of the quota reduction and greater transparency in decision-making processes.

Efforts to reach VC Srivastava for comment on the matter were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, the university administration is expected to face mounting pressure as the protest gains momentum and garners widespread support from students and stakeholders alike.