Mysuru: Students of M.Sc in Electronic media protested against the two day state level seminar and short film festival organized by Education Multimedia Research Centre in association with Department of Studies in Communication and Journalism here at Rani Bahadur auditorium on Tuesday. They were upset at the closure of Education Multimedia Research Center. They urged the organizers to stop the festival for which the students are allegedly not engaged properly.

They protested outside the auditorium and demanded that the  organizers to stop the programme.  The protest included slogan shouting. “Save EMRC, Send out the Director Prof Niranjana Vanalli”, was one of the slogans repeated.

Speaking on the occasion, a second year student of M.Sc in Electronic media Hampanna said, “The course is being rung since 12 years and authorities are going to close the department suddenly without showing any strong cause. Either Director of the department Prof Niranjana Vanalli, or Vice Chancellor of the University or the Registrar not able to strongly support their stand”

“We demand the University keep the department running, and independently of the Journalism department”, students urged.

“The concerned officials are playing with the life of students by closing the EMRC department. It has organized the state level seminar without taking the students along with it”, alleged  a student, Manasa.

Later University Administrative Officer, Dr. Ramaswamy visited the spot and assured the students that the issue will be discussed with VC and Registrar in a meeting which will be held on April 10. He assured the students that he would protest along with them if the issue remains unsolved.

Director Prof Viranjana vanalli pleaded with the students to participate in the seminar thus: “Please participate in the seminar. A mistake has been happened due to communication gap and I am sorry for it. I will pass on your request to the higher authorities. Please join with us to save the dignity of the University. Let us go together”.