First-year BSc (Information Technology) students from Matungas Guru Nanak Khalsa College have alleged that the college is forcing them to enroll for an additional course in networking and IT. Though students have paid the enrollment fees under pressure,they have sought help from Mumbai Universitys grievance cell. Students say they were unwilling to enroll for the course,but their HoD told them that the course will be beneficial in getting placements. When some of the students said they did not want to opt for the course,they were allegedly told that their results would be withheld. Some students allege they were threatened and forced to enroll for the course. A student said on condition of anonymity,We thought we will quickly leave on the last day of exams and wont have to enroll for the course. But the HoD made sure we all enrolled for the course after the exam. Another student said,We were told that if we do not enroll for the course,the college will either withhold our results or we will not be promoted to second year. Fearing this,we had to enroll for the course. There are 65 students in first year BSc-IT in the college. Once enrolled for the course,students will have to shell out Rs 12,000 each. They have asked us to pay Rs 4,000 now,Rs 4,000 in May and the remaining after Diwali. We have checked with the University. They told us that this is a private course and the college cannot force us to opt for it. We have been asked to file a written complaint,but we fear backlash from the authorities. We have now written to the Vice-Chancellor and the students grievance cell, a student said. Dr Ajit Singh,director of the college,said,It is an optional course we have offered to students during the summer vacation. They are not being forced and nobody can force them to opt for a course like this. I have instructed the HoD of BSc-IT not to force the students. University authorities confirmed that it is a private course and the college cannot force the students to enroll for it. An official from MUs grievance cell said,The students called us and we found their problem genuine. We asked them to give us a written complaint,only then can we inquire and take up the matter with the college. M S Kurhade,in-charge registrar and officer on special duty at the University,said,It must be a private course and university has nothing to do with it,so it cannot be mandatory. Hence,the college cannot force the students to opt for this course. Let the students come to us,we will help them.
