The government’s order issued on July 30 that proposed for a new National Law University in the capital city of Andhra Pradesh has brought a stir among the students of Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam. The students went on an indefinite strike against the G.O 65, stating that if the order is implemented their university will lose recognition.
Protests continued to rage in the campus of DSNLU, since last six days. Besides opposing the setting up of a new establishment, the distressed students continue to demand that their university be upgraded to the NALSAR-type University or merge it with the proposed one. They also demanded that their university be strengthened on par with other national law universities.
After the split of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh, NALSAR Hyderabad came in the Telangana region. Hence, the Andhra Pradesh government decided to set up a new NLU in the state. Thus, overlooking the existence of DSNLU, a national law university created along similar lines as NALSAR, university six years ago but was denied the recognition due to the existence of a National Law University already in the state.
The main contentions put forth by the students are that if the order is implemented, then more resources would be channeled to the new institute and their institute would keep on struggling. So, the government can make necessary changes to the statute and develop their institute first and then establish a new one.
The government is also questioned as to why six years back DSNLU was started in the presence of NALSAR, while DSNLU was projected as a National Law University. That time NALSAR was not a part of Telangana. And if the college is a National Law University, then why the government is planning to establish another NLU.
Concerned over their fate, the worried students went for a peaceful candle march and also met the chief minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday. They explained the reason behind the protest and how the status of the university and so the future of the students is on stake. The CM has promised to help the students.
DSNLU’s Vice Chancellor, R.G.B. Bhagavath Kumar said that the apprehension among the students was justified as more resources and funds would be channelized to the new university. He added that a national law university cannot be set up on the basis of a government order alone, and that it would be far more prudent to wait for greater clarity in the newly formed government.
The HRD minister, Ganta Srinivasa Rao is scheduled to meet Chief Minister next week to discuss the existing situation. The students pledged to continue the protests till the government adheres to their demand.
