Shivamogga: The farm sciences students’ indefinite protest has been going on for more than a week now, and more than 600 students are participating in this demonstration. The students of the University of Agriculture and Horticulture Sciences (UAHS) from Shivamogga, Forestry College, Ponnampete, Horticultural College, Hiruyur and Horticultural College, Mudigere gathered in Shivamogga and took out a huge rally to the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office, making their way through the city and chanting slogans. They then submitted a memorandum to the DC.

The students stated that, though they have been protesting for more than a week, there has been no response from the authorities concerned. The undergraduate students who are boycotting classes as a part of the protest have also boycotted the practical examinations.

The students have expressed their concerns over allowing private institutions to offer farm science courses. They said that this would result in the reduction of quality of education. They, therefore, demanded that the amendment made to the Karnataka Agriculture Universities Act, 2010, allowing private institutions to offer education in Agriculture Sciences be withdrawn.