University flayed for preventing Vittala from answering exams

University flayed for preventing Vittala from answering exams

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 18, 2012: Muneer Katipalla, president of the district unit of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), issued a press release accusing Prof. T. C. Shivashankarmurthy, the vice chancellor of Mangalore University, of attempting to prevent Vittala Malekudiya from answering his exams.

The Anti Naxal Force (ANF) had arrested Vittala, student of mass communication and journalism at Mangalore University, for alleged association with Naxals in March, and Vittala is now in the Mangalore Sub Jail.

In the press release, the DYFI stated that it will file a case against the vice chancellor and organize a protest in front of the university.

The release also pointed out that universities can permit students to answer their exams in spite of attendance shortage and states that the vice-chancellor’s move proves that he is anti Dalit.

Dr. Waheeda Sultana, the chairperson of the department of mass communication and journalism at Mangalore University, had issued a certificate showing that Vittala had 89 percent attendance before the ANF arrested him in March 3. Besides, Vittala had answered his internal exams and was preparing for his semester exams in jail.

After receiving the VC’s report, the Belthangady Court has ruled that Vittala cannot answer his exams, but several organizations have noted that the VC had voluntarily supplied information about Vittala’s attendance shortage to the court.