Jamshedpur Cooperative College Gold medalist refuses degree at Kolhan University’s 5th graduation ceremony

Controversy takes centrestage as Economics PG topper Soni Kumari fails to give memorandum to Governor

Mail News Service

Chaibasa, April 8: Controversy over holding separate functions for awarding degrees marred the fifth graduation ceremony of Kolhan University on Friday.

An awkward situation was created when Economics PG topper Soni Kumari of Jamshedpur Cooperative College refused to receive the gold medal and degree certificate from Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais who is also the Chancellor of KU.

The girl expressed resentment over being reportedly stopped by the ADC of the Governor from giving a memorandum to the Governor. She protested the decision taken by the KU officials to give degrees to the graduates at different functions to be organized separately in the different constituent colleges. Instead, she said, the university should have organized just one event to award the degrees.

Soni Kumari is the district secretary of All India Democratic Students Organization (AIDSO), a student organization affiliated with the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI).

A chaotic situation prevailed at the stage for over 10 minutes. Chaibasa police later removed Soni Kumari from the stage and took her to Chaibasa Mahila Thana.

Students from various colleges of KU participated in the graduation ceremony organized in KU’s Pillai Hall.

According to sources, this is not the first instance of protest by a KU student over holding of graduation ceremony. Many students of the university have registered their protest on the issue of organizing the graduation ceremony. They alleged that the university had charged fee for attending the graduation ceremony.

But later, the university decided to organize separate events in the colleges to give away the degrees. The university had returned the money to students who did not receive their degrees, sources said.

The main ceremonial event was organized today in the presence of the Governor.