Mangalore University postpones semester exams originally scheduled to begin on December 20
Mangaluru: In response to strong opposition from the Christian community, minority institutions, and students, Mangalore University (MU) has opted to postpone the end-of-semester examinations originally scheduled during the Christmas and New Year season.
Additionally, an ongoing protest by guest lecturers, marked by their boycott of classes, is believed to have influenced MU's decision to reschedule examinations.
Raju Krishna Chalannavar, the Registrar (Evaluation) at MU, explained that the provisional timetable initially outlined exams for the first, third, and fifth semesters starting on December 20 and concluding on January 17. Practical exams were set to commence on December 15.
ALSO READ: MasterChef winner Mohammed Aashiq arrives at Mangaluru, accorded grand welcome by fans at airport
The concerns raised by the Christian community, minority institutions, and students centered around potential disruptions to Christmas festivities, as the scheduled exam days coincided with traditional holidays in the coastal district. Furthermore, colleges requested additional time to complete the syllabus due to the ongoing protest by guest lecturers, impacting syllabus coverage for odd semesters.
Acknowledging these factors, MU officials have decided to postpone the semester examinations to January 2, 2024. However, practical examinations will still take place between December 15 and December 30.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
_vb_77.jpeg)
_vb_00.jpeg)
