Amidst heavy security and chaos, Cusat’s art festival, Sargam 2016, was inaugurated at the campus on Wednesday.
The confusion over the five-day festival began at around 3.30pm on Wednesday when the students received a circular from the university vice-chancellor, informing them that the festival will not be held.
The students union and representatives of 24 affiliated colleges immediately approached the VC with the request to conduct the festival as per schedule as students had put in months of practice to compete in various events such as group music, fancy dress, caricature, mime, skit, oppana, elocution, debate, painting, etc.
Confirming the developments, Cusat VC J Letha said, “Some untoward incidents were reported in the campus over the last few days. So, I issued a circular informing students that the festival will not be held this time.”
After the students union approached the VC with the request, she asked them to give an undertaking that no unwarranted incident would happen in the campus during the festival.
“Once they gave the undertaking, I asked the registrar to inspect the venue and give his approval if he was convinced,” added Letha.
According to sources, the VC was upset over a fight between two groups of students. “There were allegations that few senior BTech students ragged a first-year mechanical student. They also threatened some students who filed a complaint with the Kalamassery police about drug usage in the campus,” said a university student.
On Tuesday, the situation worsened as there were clashes between these student groups in the morning. Later at night, a few students were attacked with the help of locals. To prevent any violent incident, police have been posted in the campus since Tuesday. Later as per VC’s instruction, the registrar visited the venue and granted permission for the event.
“In the confusion, the event that was to start at 5.30pm began only at 7pm instead. Film director Kamal, who was the chief guest, was asked to come late for the event,” added a faculty.
Source : TOI