Kolkata college vice-principal resigns after students protest over attendance criterion

On Friday, September 11, the Vice Principal of Surendranath Law College in Kolkata, Mohammadi Tarannum, resigned following a 23-hour student protest over attendance requirements. The students, led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), demanded her resignation, alleging political targeting. The dispute centered around the 70% attendance requirement for semester examinations, which many students were unable to meet.

Tarannum alleged she was forced to remain confined in her room, denied access to lights and fan, and threatened with resignation. She cited health, family, and personal issues as the reasons for her resignation. However, ABVP called it a victory for students' rights and academic justice, while ABVP State Media In-charge Ananta Barui claimed the resignation was a purge of political favoritism.

Law student Veenit Sharma added that the previous regime had given 100% attendance to those attending Trinamool Congress rallies. ABVP member Kaustav Bagchi agreed with the attendance requirement, but criticized the lack of a proper attendance register, suggesting that a functional system should be implemented.