RGUKT-Basar declares holidays amidst ongoing protests

In response to ongoing student demonstrations, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) has announced a temporary closure for its Pre-University Course (PUC) first and second-year students, as well as engineering first and second-year students, effective March 23.

According to a statement released on Sunday, university officials indicated that this decision was made to safeguard the academic schedule from disruptions stemming from protests concerning alleged deficiencies in on-campus medical facilities, particularly in the wake of a student's passing.

The protests were incited by the demise of Mallipudi Tejashwini, a PUC second-year student hailing from Medak district. The university has stated that the date for the resumption of classes will be communicated at a later time and encouraged students to make productive use of this period.

Students commenced their protests on March 17, citing inadequate medical provisions and demanding a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for Tejashwini's family. Demonstrations, including the chanting of slogans calling for justice, were held at the Vice-Chancellor's office. Concurrently, Tejashwini's parents have formally requested the government to ensure justice and appropriate compensation for their daughter. They engaged in a sit-in protest at the RGUKT entrance on Friday.

Tejashwini, aged 17 and a resident of Ramachandrapuram in Medak district, succumbed to leukemia on March 16 while receiving treatment at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad.