Education

Tribhuvan University has asked Home Ministry to provide security for university officials and employees to carry out their everyday tasks smoothly.

Nepal Students Union, a sister organisation of the ruling Nepali Congress party, has padlocked various departments and units under the university since June demanding that the university administration make public the report submitted by a committee to investigate the repetition of last year's question papers in various examinations. 

The TU in a statement accused the union of issuing threats to TU staff members, office bearers and employees apart from padlocking, vandalising and encircling the offices. 

The matter has reached the House of Representatives too.

The CPN (UML) has drawn the serious attention of the parliament, saying a sister organisation and individuals close to the ruling party carried out lockout and vandalism at the Tribhuvan University and also attempted an attack on the university office-bearers.

At the outset of the meeting of the House of Representatives today, the UML lawmakers raised their hands and Pradip Gyawali sought time from the Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota to put his view.

Lawmaker Gyawali demanded action against the culprits involved in such activities, terming these activities taking place at the hallowed and academic place of higher learning as despicable. He alleged that the police was protecting those involved in physical attacks on university teachers and the Office of the Attorney General has withdrawn cases against those people.

Gyawali added that the higher education within the country was deteriorating due to such activities and expressed concern over capital flight from the country in the name of higher studies. The former Minister asked what would be the condition of the university if it is under lockout for 300 days in three years.

He expressed worry over such activities dealing a big blow to the academic progress at the institution of higher education where the students and the academic freedom should be protected.

Speaker's ruling Speaker Sapkota directed the government to address the problem seen at the university after all lawmakers from the main opposition party stood up from their seats and after lawmaker Gyawali declared that the House would not be allowed to carry on its business until the minister concerned responded on these kinds of activities at the university. -RSS