Student’s suicide: 2 Khalsa College teachers booked for ‘thrashing’ protesting student

The action comes since the principal, Mehal Singh, registrar Devender Singh and agriculture HoD Randeep Kaur Bal having been booked for abetting the suicide of Harpreet Singh, a student of BSc (agriculture) in his hostel room on Wednesday.

Row over suicide of BSc (agriculture) student of Khalsa Collage Harpreet Singh has deepened as the newly appointed head of agriculture department, Gurdev Singh, and head of the physical education department Daljit Singh, have been booked for allegedly manhandling and misbehaving with a protesting student.

HT Correspondent
Hindustan Times, Amritsar
Khalsa student suicide

Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Bholath and party chief whip Sukhpal Singh Khaira, along with party MLA from Talwandi Sabo Baljinder Kaur and other leaders met the agitating students to extend their support. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

Row over suicide of BSc (agriculture) student of Khalsa Collage Harpreet Singh has deepened as the newly appointed head of agriculture department, Gurdev Singh, and head of the physical education department Daljit Singh, have been booked for allegedly manhandling and misbehaving with a protesting student.

The student, Harpal Singh, a BA final-year student, was taking part in the agitation, was allegedly thrashed by the duo. A case under Sections 323, 341, 506 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the duo.

The Khalsa College governing council on Saturday appointed Gurdev Singh as the acting HoD of the agriculture department replacing Randeep Kaur who was booked in the suicide case along with the principal.

Meanwhile, the students’ protest entered the fifth day on Sunday, with support pouring in from political parties and social organisations.

Deputy commissioner of police Amarjit Singh Bajwa met the protesters but failed to pacify them.

SUPPORT POURS IN

Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Bholath and party chief whip Sukhpal Singh Khaira, along with party MLA from Talwandi Sabo Baljinder Kaur and other leaders met the agitating students to extend their support. Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla also visited the protest site.

Besides, Amrik Singh Ajnala, parallel jathedar designated at the radicals’ Sarbat Khalsa, Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders and members of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee also met the protesters on Sunday and to show solidarity with them.

Sukhmeen Kaur Bedi

A banner at Khalsa College gates in Amritsar demands justice for the suicide victim.(Sameer Sehgal/HT)

Hindustan Times, Amritsar

Hoping to ease the tension over a hosteller’s suicide that has led to protests by students, Khalsa College Governing Council on Saturday appointed Sukhmeen Kaur Bedi, a senior professor and dean of academics, as acting principal of the historic college in Amritsar.

The dean for sciences, MS Batra, was appointed acting registrar, and Prof Gurdev Singh the head of the agriculture department.

The action comes since the principal, Mehal Singh, registrar Devender Singh and agriculture HoD Randeep Kaur Bal having been booked for abetting the suicide of Harpreet Singh, a student of BSc (agriculture) in his hostel room on Wednesday.

It’s students versus teachers

Meanwhile, teachers, most of whom reside on the campus, held a parallel protest and demanded cancellation of the FIR. Students blocked the entry of the teachers and staff members from the rear Ram Tirath Road side.

Students sitting on dharna against the police and Khalsa College management at the college gates in Amritsar on Saturday, April 29. (Sameer Sehgal /HT)

Khalsa College staff protesting against cases registered against colleagues in Amritsar on Saturday, April 29. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

The teachers, then, gave an ultimatum to the students to end their protest or face a massive demonstration against them on Monday.

KCGC chief Satyajit Majithia appealed to the district administration to stop being mute spectators to the whole scene and restore normal academic life at the college.

 http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/student-suicide-amritsar-khalsa-college-appoints-acting-principal-register-in-bid-to-ease-tension/story-dpATPSWzMcyelv7Th1DVUJ.html