A Student’s Strike
Student unrest has today become a common phenomenon. Almost everything has become a bone of contention between the college authorities and students. The object of agitation often ranges from mundane to ridiculous, like the number of chappatis served to a student to the smoking of a cigarette by a peon outside the hostel. Such is the frequency of the strikes and agitation that no session goes without some unrest or the other. This year also began with a strike in our college. As is the ritual, the student’s union voiced a number of grievances, Pamphlets containing their charter of demands were circulated. Demands for more drinking water facilities were more genuine Others like extra free periods ostensibly to prepare for exams were non-serious The demands were placed before the Principal of the college. Some of the demands were accepted while others were rejected. This acted as a red rag to the bull and the strike was declared The students resorted to slogan shouting and took out processions. The college authorities reacted by closing down the hostel and declaring a college lockout. This further incited the students, who went on relay hunger strikes. The situation grew extremely tense, with both the sides adopting a hard-line approach. Luckily before the matters came to a head, the situation was diffused by the moderates on both sides. The next day all was normal. However, three precious days were wasted in this unrest.
