Students at National Law University (NLU) Meghalaya, aggrieved over a range of issues, launched a protest on Thursday, days after NLU introduced a compulsory uniform policy. Although the uniform policy triggered sharp criticism among the students, the protest was the result of alleged mounting academic pressure, strict attendance rules, and lack of transparency in functioning of NLU administration. The issue of uniforms is only a small part of wider frustrations that have been building on campus over academic and welfare-related matters, the students alleged.
They said the uncertainty surrounding the university’s academic structure, particularly under the major-minor system, has left many confused about course allocation, evaluation methods and academic requirements.
According to aggrieved students, clear guidelines on how the framework is meant to function are still unavailable despite the system already being implemented.
Concerns have also been raised over the trimester system, which students allegedly claim that it has intensified academic stress while leaving little room for illness, emergencies, or personal difficulties.
In a media release, a student alleged that the university’s attendance policy has become excessively rigid, with students reportedly being debarred in 19 subjects during the previous trimester over attendance shortages. The student further alleged that compulsory wellbeing sessions are also being linked to attendance calculations, which many students feel defeats the purpose of such programmes and adds to existing academic pressure.