On September 29, students organized under the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) held a protest outside the old Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mysuru. Their central demand was the postponement of semester exams in government degree colleges until essential guest lecturers are appointed and sufficient classes are conducted to cover the full syllabus.
During the demonstration, activist Ugra Narasimhe Gowda called upon the Karnataka government to clearly prioritize the educational well-being of its students and address their concerns.
Students voiced strong disapproval of universities for releasing exam schedules and fee notifications while classes had not even commenced. One student questioned the integrity of the system, asking, “Does this mean government universities exist solely for the benefit of private degree colleges? Our fight will not cease until this injustice is rectified.”
Chandrakala, the district president of AIDSO, highlighted a critical issue: government degree colleges throughout Karnataka are heavily reliant on guest lecturers. She noted that significant delays in appointing these lecturers have left countless students in a state of deep anxiety. “With the first internal exams slated for October, and yet no classes having begun, the academic future of these students is seriously jeopardized,” she emphasized.
The protesting students also expressed frustration with university officials who visited the site, criticizing their “indifferent” attitude. A student articulated their disappointment: “When thousands of students are genuinely worried about their future, a casual ‘we will discuss’ response is simply unacceptable.”
AIDSO district secretary Nitin, along with other student leaders, were also present to support the protest.