'MUC should refrain from taking up any activities until admission row is resolved'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 17 2021: The Manipur University of Culture (MUC) should refrain from taking up any form of activities in the varsity until the demands of the students of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Music College (SSBDMC), Government Dance College (GDC) and Jawahar Lai Nehru Manipur Dance Akademy are fulfilled, said a joint statement of the student unions of the said colleges.

The students of the above colleges have demanded that they should be allowed admission to MA courses in MUC and until the issue is addressed, the authorities of the varsity should not take up any activities, failing which the authorities concerned of MUC and the State Government will be held responsible for any unwanted outcome, added the statement.

The student unions stated that the MUC was established in 2015 with a vision to make it as one of the premier institute in the country however the varsity is on the verge of shutting down with only 97 students in the 10 departments of MUC.

It also maintained that a department should have twenty students each however as per the current trend that there are departments where there are only six students which is disheartening for an institute like Manipur University of Culture.

Expressing concern over the deplorable situation of MUC, the student unions expressed that there is a high possibility that the number of students will reduce in the upcoming academic sessions and there may be no bonafide students under UGC rules in the BA courses also.

The student unions also pointed out that Bengali scripts are being used while it was clearly mentioned in the prospectus published by MUC that the teaching medium will be Manipuri language and the script will be of Meitei Mayek and demanded that the VC of the varsity should clarify on the same.

Regarding the absence of an eligibility committee in MUC, the student union raised questions on the eligibility of the admitted students and stated that there are reports that some of the students are from non recognised boards/councils which is a matter of serious concern.

The student unions lauded the MP Leishemba Sanajaoba who drew the attention of the Parliament to upgrade MUC to a Central University and appealed to him to take up measures solve the ongoing row of MUC.

Further the student unions sought the attention of the Chief Minister and two advisors of Art & Culture in the issue of MUC and urged them to resolve it at the earliest.

Lastly the student unions declared that it will resume their stringent protests which was on hold until their demands are met.

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