Sir,

KSOU has been in the news in recent days. On Sept. 28, Higher Education Minister announced the possible closing of KSOU. On Oct. 2, former Education Minister S.A. Ramdas assured the students of KSOU that he would not allow its closure. However, neither of them have announced how they would come to the help of students who are in Thrishanku Swarga.

So far, only in the case of those students who have completed the UGC approved courses and who had been admitted before 2012-13, courts have given direction to authorities concerned to accept their certificates. Courts are unable to come to the rescue of other students, who number in lakhs. It is here the Prime Minister can come to their help.

The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) had written to the PM on Aug. 26, 2017 urging him to institute a special commission to look into the grievances of lakhs of KSOU students. Unfortunately, the bureaucrat in charge to whom MGP letter was sent by PM’s Office has taken the easy way out. He has closed the KSOU case file by stating it is sub judice since many cases are pending in the courts. In fact, MGP had written to the PM that since it would take years for our judicial system to decide, only his intervention can help the students. Bureaucrat must have decided to ignore it.

It is here our political leaders, who are taking interest in the closing or keeping open KSOU, can really help the students by approaching the PMO to institute a high-level commission to assist the students. When we look at the plight of lakhs of KSOU students it reminds of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning. Neither the closure nor keeping open KSOU will help those students who have already completed their course work.

May I urge the political leadership, irrespective of their party affiliation, to call on the PM to help the students?

– Bhamy V. Shenoy, Mysuru, 2.10.2017

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