A.C. Vinayraj, a Congress spokesperson, on Thursday denounced an EBVP demonstration staged in front of Saint Agnes College, Mangalore, during the Dussehra examination schedule, labeling it a deliberate effort to disturb communal harmony.
Vinayraj argued that the protest, framed as opposition to an exam conducted during the Hindu festival, was orchestrated by local legislators Vedavyasa Kamat and Bharat Shatti to create a rift between religious communities. He said the two politicians dispatched EBVP activists to ignite tension in the city, describing the incident as a pre‑planned attack on the college.
Saint Agnes College, which has provided education for 104 years without discrimination, observes all government‑declared holidays as well as festivals such as Krishna Janmashtami and Nagara Panchami. The institution follows autonomous college regulations that require a one‑week revision break after 90 days of classes, a published draft timetable a month in advance, and written requests to the registrar for any schedule change within 15 days. The college administration confirmed that no student had asked for a postponement of the exam.
While Saint Agnes College faced the protest, other colleges in the district conducted examinations without disruption, prompting Vinayraj to question why EBVP targeted only this institution. He linked the incident to broader BJP and Sangh‑aligned religious politics, urging a proper probe into alleged hateful remarks made by some students.
Vinayraj warned that politicising academic matters jeopardises students’ futures and called for dialogue rather than demonstrations. He urged the legislators to apologise to the public and the college community. The press conference was attended by Congress leaders Appi, Anil Kumar, Prakash Salian, Neeraj Pal, Honnayya and Uday Achaar, who echoed the call for calm and respect for educational institutions.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK