The Sunday Senate meeting of the University of Mumbai was marred by protests and controversy as students and Senate members expressed serious concerns regarding widespread errors in the evaluation of exam answer sheets. As per media reports, nearly 100 students had assembled at the Fort campus of the university to agitate over discrepancies in engineering exam results, especially cases where attempted answers were marked as 'NA' (Not Attempted).
These complaints overran into the Senate session, with representatives calling for a prompt resolution of the issue. But even as more than 1,000 student complaints were made, college officials refused to allow adjournment motions for debate. This prompted Yuva Sena leader and Senate member Pradeep Sawant to stage a dramatic protest by leaving copies of the disputed answer sheets in front of vice-chancellor Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni.
The administration assured to refer the issue to the Board of Examinations, but the refusal to table it formally caused unrest. Among 20 adjournment motions filed on student, faculty, and administrative issues, only one concerning student admission problems was approved. Even this motion, moved by Yuva Sena member Milind Satam, was not presented as he chose to walk out in solidarity with protesting members, as per the reports.
“This is against the spirit of democracy,” said Senator and acdvocate Alpesh Bhoir, adding that there are no rules governing adjournment motions. Prof. Chandrashekhar Kulkarni of BUCTU referred to the denial of motions as a departure from Senate traditions and warned of resignations and appeals to the Governor if the situation persists, as reported by HT.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, the Senate granted approval to the setting up of 17 new colleges—15 multidisciplinary and two traditional—in some districts like Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad. Members such as Shashikant Zore and Hanumant Sutar, however, raised concerns regarding the practicality of the move, given low enrollment in existing institutions.
Furthermore, statutes providing academic and financial autonomy to university departments were enacted. Though the administration views this as a move towards innovation and efficiency, critics are concerned with increasing fees and its effect on economically disadvantaged students.
