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The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) in Patiala, Punjab, was closed indefinitely on Monday after student protests erupted on Sunday evening following allegations against its Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Jai Shankar Singh. Students have accused Singh of inappropriate behaviour and actions that have negatively affected both the student body and the university’s standing. Singh, who took over in March, has denied the accusations.
“The allegations against the RGNUL Vice Chancellor are appalling if true. A probe committee must be set up immediately, while the VC is asked to take a leave of absence in the interim,” lawyer Karuna Nandy wrote on X.
Despite the administration’s closure order, students remained on campus, refusing to leave until Singh resigns or removed from his post. Various attempts to negotiate, including the establishment of a special committee to address their concerns, have been unsuccessful. Students have declined to engage with university officials.
In a detailed representation submitted to the administration and directly handed to Singh when he met students, they cited instances of insensitive remarks by the VC. The immediate trigger for the protests, they say, was Singh’s unexpected inspection of the girls’ hostel on Sunday morning.
Students allege that Singh entered the hostel without prior notice, reportedly to inspect the mess and assess the accommodation issues for first-year students. However, they claim the VC’s visit violated university rules, which restrict entry to the hostel to women members of the RGNUL community. They also allege that neither the hostel warden nor the students were informed of the inspection in advance, and Singh was not accompanied by women staff.
During the visit, students reported feeling uncomfortable, with one claiming she was questioned by the VC shortly after showering, without adequate time to dress. When asked about his visit, Singh allegedly responded by saying the girls were like his daughters.
Students have accused the VC of making inappropriate comments on their attire, activities, and academic work. They criticised Singh for deviating from his stated purpose by entering third-year students’ rooms instead of those of first-years.
“The RGNUL student community strongly condemns the unacceptable violation of the privacy and dignity of the occupants of the girls’ hostel,” students stated in their draft.
Singh defended his actions, and told the media that his visit was prompted by complaints of students smoking and drinking alcohol after midnight.
Women students also reported sexist remarks made by Singh. “You are a girl; choose a topic like domestic violence or marriage and stay home to pursue your course. Why give her such a complicated topic?” one student recalled the VC saying, per The Wire.
Students further claim that Singh’s conduct has infringed on academic freedom. Faculty members have expressed concerns about the VC’s classroom inspections, which they argue are more disruptive than helpful. Emails from professors have also raised issues about Singh’s interference
“While the student community acknowledges that the VC has the prerogative to conduct checks on ongoing classes, the method adopted was more disruptive than constructive. This is evidenced by the concerns raised by the professors in a series of emails in recent times,” the students’ statement said.
In addition to Singh’s resignation, the students are demanding a written apology and the immediate implementation of the RGNUL Student Bar Association’s constitution, agreed upon in 2019, to ensure that student concerns are addressed. They are also calling for the establishment of an internal complaints committee to investigate the issues they’ve raised.
