We Must Not Stop at this Victory! We Must Continue Our Fight for Campus Democracy and Students' Rights!

Let us Learn Our Lessons and March Forward!

Dear Friends, Undoubtedly, it was the pressure of collective strength of students' protests that forced the MU authorities to revoke the suspension of Prof. Neeraj Hatakar. The two weeks from January 6 to January 19 saw the upsurge of students' discontent, which ultimately obliged the authorities to give in to the central demand of our movement: revocation of the suspension. However, to any discerning person, this fact does not need any elaboration that this victory is just a beginning of our struggle, not the end. The issues that had been raised by Prof. Hatekar, as well as, other issues of the students still need to be addressed. This movement has taught us that if the justice-loving, democratic and sensitive students unite for a just cause, no force can stop them from victory. It has taught us the value of speaking up, of raising our voices; this small movement has taught us the value of organization and collectivity. This movement has led us to understand that to stand and fight for our just rights, we do not need to rely on electoral parties and their subsidiaries. Common students like us can unite, organize and fight for their rights and even win! These are valuable lessons of this movement. However, this victory must not make us complacent. There is still the crying need to fight against various irregularities and mismanagement in our University system. Let us have a look at some of the representative problems. Most of the students from humble background need classes and study material in Marathi and Hindi; however, there are no remedial classes held for such students. Besides, there is insufficient and outdated study material in Marathi and Hindi. As a result, most of such students fail to cope up and drop out. There is provision in the University for 50 hours of remedial classes and translation of latest study material. There is a Mumbai University Press also, which does not do anything except printing syllabus and calender. There is an 'Earn & Learn' scheme which can also include the work of translation of study material, apart from other jobs. However, these extremely useful schemes are rotting in the cupboard of the red-tape of MU authorities. The lodging facility in the MU is shamefully inadequate, though MU has sufficient land to build new hostels. However, millions of rupees is spent on beautification! Similarly, several teachers' posts are vacant and the MU is hiring teachers on contract, instead of making permanent appointments. This has led to sharp decline in the academic standards of MU. We can go on counting. In view of these problems, the UCDE is going to start a STUDENTS' CHARTER MOVEMENT after January 26. A comprehensive students' charter is being prepared with the help of MU teachers and students and according to the rights to which we are legally entitled as students in the laws, rules and regulations of the University. Class-to-class campaigns and signature campaigns will be organized to gather support for this charter and consequently this charter will be submitted to the MU authorities, CM and Education Minister of Maharashtra. We urge all our friends to join this movement; contact us; let us know the problems that they face. We need your participation and suggestions. Please join us! Lets make this university a better place to study, think and struggle!

University Community for Democracy and Equality (UCDE)

9619039793, 9769903589, ucde.mu@gmail.com, ucde-mu.blogspot.com