Rajah Muthiah Medical College campus shut down indefinitely after medicos protests
Tamil Nadu: Responding to the consistent strike and protests of medical students, Annamalai University authorities have decided to close the Rajah Muthiah Institute of Medical and Dental College campus for an indefinite time.
The students of the medical institution have been protesting against the hefty medical fee charged for medical and dental courses for more than 45 days but now authorities have instructed that all the classes will remain suspended for undergraduate and postgraduate students till further notice. The authorities have also clarified that 'unauthorized stay' in either the campus or the hostel will not be entertained.
The university has issued a circular and instructed all its students to immediately vacate the college premises. The statement added, " in view of the adverse and unfavorable circumstances in the premises. The college will remain closed indefinitely for both undergraduate and postgraduate students with immediate effect until further order." However, the classes for MBBS and BDS freshers of 2020-21 batch will be conducted as usual and they will be permitted to stay in the hostel. Other than that, " all other students are instructed to vacate the university premises and their respective hostels by 4 p.m. on 21-1-2020, without any deviation unauthorized stay in the hostel and gathering beyond 4:00 p.m. on the said day will be viewed with serious concern."
As per a recent media report by local medi, the University had previously issued a warning to students in December, instructing them to call off their protest. The University took note that a section of students had been gathering and shouting slogans and directed them to stop as the campus was a COVID-19 hospital. Authorities stated, "Unauthorised gatherings, creating a nuisance and shouting slogans resulting in unrest inside the premise during or outside of working hours will not be tolerated anymore. This is a violation of the rules and regulations of the University and will attract disciplinary action against the offenders".
The authorities have informed the parents of the medicos also asking them to ensure that their wards have left the hostels within the mentioned time. It further added that if any problem arises anymore, the authorities may be compelled to lodge an FIR which can seriously damage the future of the student.
Many of the medicos have taken twitter on storm protesting against the action of the authorities. The medicos have been protesting against hiked fees for MBBS and BDS, UG and PG courses. The college charges Rs 5.6 lakh per annum for MBBS course and Rs 9.6 lakh per annum for MD/MS courses, whereas the private self-financing medical colleges charge Rs 3.8 lakh per annum for MBBS course under government quota and Rs 3.5 lakh for MD/MS courses per annum.
One of the concerned parents also stated, " Medical students of Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu are protesting against high fees collection even though college is coming under Govt A Category nearing almost 50 days. Request you to support for their noble cause." While another medico stated that " there is no water or electricity at the women's hostel and marked the decision of the authority as an "Inhuman Measures by the management."
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