Hyderabad: The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTU-H) stir against the credit-based detention system took a political turn with the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, saying that the party would do away with the system within 20 days if it came to power.
"Besides removing the credit-based detention system, NSUI will also help to bring a student-friendly policy," said Telangana NSUI chief Balamuri Venkat, who is also an All India Congress Committee (AICC) member.
The credit-based detention policy has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly imposing undue stress on academic performance, with students contending that this system adversely affects those caught unaware and unprepared. The university has said
the policy affects only five per cent of the students, and decisions can be taken on the matter till a new government is in place.
Meanwhile, several students, who were told that they would be detained for not securing sufficient credits, received a message asking them to return to classes, leaving them confused about what it meant.
"The university needs to come out with a proper notice and not send personal messages — affiliated colleges have received no such orders, only delaying our academic year and causing stress," said another student belonging to an affiliated college in Patancheru.
Harati P, a BTech student, contested the university's claim that the policy applies to a small number of students, and said, "Even if it were true, it is still unfair to those caught unawares. We demand the university to take it back soonest, as many are already worried about the new lab exam dates in early December being announced already."
"The university's decision affects our future. We need a resolution before the elections, or our votes will reflect our dissatisfaction," said another student.
Amidst the uproar, a computer science student at JNTU-H remarked, "If they want to play this game, we can too. We demand that the decision be made soon, or we know how our votes can impact."
