NE students continue protest over Hindi-MIL issue at Delhi

IMPHAL, April 10: A mass protest was held by the students from North East India today at the University of Delhi from 1pm to 4 pm, informed a statement of the Naga Students’ Union under the banner of the North East Students’ Community Against Implementation of Compulsory Hindi/MILs in Delhi University.

The statement said around 2500 student protestors from different north east students organisations based in Delhi participated in the protest. The organizations involved were Arunachal Student’s Union, Delhi; All Assamese Student’s Association, Delhi; All Bodo Students Union, Delhi; Eastern Nagaland Students Union, Delhi; Kuki Students organisation, Delhi; Manipur Student’s Association, Delhi; Meghalaya Student’s Union, Delhi; Mishing Students Association, Delhi; Delhi Mizo Zirlai Pawl; Naga Student’s Union, Delhi; Sikkim Student’s Union, Delhi; Siamsinpawlpi-JHQ, Delhi; Tripura Student’s Forum, Delhi and the Zou Student Organization, Delhi.

The statement said the protestors gathered at the Arts faculty before proceeding towards the Vice-Chancellor's office at gate no.1.

The students protestors waited for several hours for the VCs office to directly address them and also receive there memorandum, it said before adding that in the absence of the VC, pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Pachuri, invited a delegation of student’s leaders into the VC’s office for deliberation.

Subsequently, the pro VC came out to the gate to briefly address the student protestors and received the memorandum.

He announced that the University has decided to offer a paper “literature in English” in lieu of Hindi, MIL, Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit under the foundation course, it said.

However this was out rightly rejected by the committee on the grounds that it had within it, clearly stated conditions valid for only those who had never studied Hindi/MIL in their course of education, said the statement.

“It now remains to be observed how the administration of Delhi University addresses the issues put forth and accordingly, this committee resolves to fight till its demands are met. The protesting crowd then dispersed with the assurance from the Pro VC that its issues will be put on priority and its demands will be addressed”, it concluded.