Delhi University maths students on fast after 88% fail

NEW DELHI: The master's students of Delhi University's mathematics department started a hunger strike on Wednesday, after 35 out of the 40 students failed in a semester examination and vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi allegedly did not listen to their grievances.

The students had been protesting against the administration since February 14 by boycotting classes.

They had put off the hunger strike after the administration promised to resolve the matter by February 27. The students alleged that without re-evaluating the answer scripts, they were told their marks had increased by just 2 or 3. The protesting students claimed that they were forcibly removed from the department.

"When we have been continuously trying to interact with the administration, they are not bothered. We have been demanding a re-evaluation by an independent judge committee and action against those responsible," said a student. DU registrar T K Das, however, said, "As I was busy, I had asked the proctor and the dean of social welfare to meet the students. But they never turned up. If they had come, we would have done something."

The students had marched to meet Tyagi, but were denied permission. "We have also noticed that some students were marked absent despite taking the exam while many even passed it despite being absent," said a student. The students also want to see their answer sheets and a supplementary examination system for the final-year students within two months.