Mangaluru: Vedashree Nidya, in-charge principal of Puttur Women’s First Grade College, has been placed under suspension following her alleged altercation with Ashok Kumar Rai during a recent student protest.

The suspension order was issued on Thursday by Jabeen Taj GM, Under Secretary to the Government (Collegiate Education), Higher Education Department. The action has been taken pending a departmental inquiry into the events surrounding the protest held on February 16.

According to the order, the principal was suspended under Rule 10(1) of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957.

Protest over facilities and infrastructure

Students of the college had staged a protest demanding improved facilities, including the construction of a new college building. During the protest, they reportedly submitted a memorandum to the Puttur MLA seeking intervention.

Sources said tensions escalated when the MLA visited the protest site and an argument allegedly broke out between him and the in-charge principal. The nature of the exchange has not been officially detailed in the order, but it is understood to have prompted further scrutiny by the higher education department.

In her reported statement during the preliminary inquiry, the principal maintained that the protest was organised to highlight the need for a new building and to draw attention to students’ concerns.

Road blockade and police report

According to a report submitted by Puttur Town police, students blocked a public road without prior permission during the protest, leading to disruption of traffic and law and order concerns. The police report stated that the blockade caused inconvenience to the public.

Citing intelligence inputs, the police noted that the principal and Prof Ivan Francis Lobo were present at the protest venue. The report further alleged that they encouraged the students during the demonstration.

These findings were included in the materials reviewed by the higher education department before issuing the suspension order.

Department cites dereliction of duty

The suspension order stated that there was prima facie evidence of dereliction of duty on the part of the principal. It observed that she failed to bring the students’ grievances to the notice of the concerned officers and authorities prior to the protest.

The order also mentioned that issues related to health concerns and other problems arising from the construction of a dialysis centre near the college premises were not formally communicated to the MLA or the relevant departments before students took to the streets.

Following the February 16 protest, the department’s joint director conducted an inquiry and submitted a report based on discussions with the principal, staff and students. The government said it relied on this report, the police findings and a letter from the MLA before concluding that disciplinary action was warranted.

“The government has found prima facie that the principal failed to bring students’ problems to the officers concerned and did not take adequate steps to prevent the road blockade,” the order stated.

Inquiry to determine further action

The suspension is temporary and will remain in effect pending completion of the departmental inquiry. During this period, the principal will not discharge her official duties.

Officials in the higher education department indicated that the inquiry will examine whether due procedures were followed and whether there was any violation of service rules.

The incident has sparked discussion in academic circles about the responsibilities of institutional heads during student protests and the balance between addressing grievances and maintaining law and order.

Further action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry, which is expected to determine whether the charges of dereliction of duty and failure to prevent the protest are substantiated.