Faculty members at the country´s largest and oldest university did not take regular classes, protesting what they described as ´the most unfortunate´ and “most disrespectful´ incident ever in the history of the university.
A group of students belonging to the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) smeared Vice Chancellor Sharma and Rector Amatya on their faces with soot when the two were coming out of CERID Hall at about 1:30 pm, Wednesday.
ANNISU-R has said they smeared the two officials with soot as the university has failed to heed their demand to revoke a decision to hike examination fees even after two weeks of protests.
VC Sharma and Rector Amatya were emerging from a meeting with the ambassador of Columbia at CERID Hall on issues of mutual cooperation. The meeting was held there as their own offices have been padlocked by the agitating students since some two weeks ago.
"We strongly denounce this type of regrettable and criminal activity,” said a statement issued by the TU family on Thursday. “Additionally, we strongly appeal to the authorities to take stern action against those involved in this regrettable and criminal activity.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers representing Rastriya Janashakti Party, CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and CPN (United) denounced the incident Thursday in parliament.
Addressing parliament, CPN-UML lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari said the smearing of soot on respected individuals like the VC and rector had shamed everybody. He said words are not enough to denounce the incident and demanded stern action against those involved.
Chandra Dev Joshi of CPN (United) said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal should apology over the incident in his capacity as chancellor of the university.
Police arrested 22 ANNISU-R students in connection with the incident on Wednesday. The Maoist students staged demonstration in front of the Kathmandu District Administration Office on Thursday afternoon, demanding release of the arrested students.
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