The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on Wednesday indefinitely suspended classes in its College of Engineering in Alappuzha.Kochi: The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on Wednesday indefinitely suspended classes in its College of Engineering in Alappuzha following protest by some vegetarian students seeking action against those allegedly responsible for serving them beef cutlets as a vegetable dish.
University vice-chancellor J Latha justified her decision to close down the campus indefinitely, saying it was done to bring normalcy in the college which had been witnessing agitations over the issue for quite some time.
The VC said the students decided to go ahead with their protest despite her assurance that an inquiry would be conducted on the issue.
During her meeting with the agitating students on Wednesday, she assured them that an inquiry committee would be constituted and it would complete the process in four days.
But students made several other demands and so a decision was taken to close down the campus indefinitely, she said.
Last week, a group of vegetarian students of the college had complained to Alappuzha district authorities that they were made to eat beef cutlets served as a vegetable dish.
The incident took place when food was served in connection with a seminar held at the college at Pulinkunnu on January 25.
Vegetarian students, particularly from outside Kerala, alleged that the college authorities told them that it was vegetable cutlets when repeatedly asked whether it was beef or vegetable. So they ate them.
"Only after consuming it, we came to know that these were beef cutlets," Angithkumar, a student, had said.
They alleged that it was done with the knowledge of the college principal.
The students said they felt depressed on coming to know that they ate beef as it was a matter related their faith and religion.
The students of the college arrived at the CUSAT campus at Kalamassery near here on Wednesday and staged a protest, seeking action against the principal of the college in Alappuzha district.
Some students from the university campus also joined theme.
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