Relay Hunger Strike

I had decided early on that I would not post anything concerned with the University. But I have brooding on this issue for a long time. So here it goes:

The students are on strike because the administration rusticated 11 students.

It all started simply enough. The construction workers were paid much below their minimum wage. The University is responsible to see that the construction workers are paid their dues and that they have proper accommodation. However, no one ever follows the law. The University will pass the buck to the contractor and the contractor will point out that it is the University's responsibility.

In February tension ran high. The staff was also on strike as they had some demands. The workers from the electricity (or was it engineering?) department had been on strike for quite a long time. The students joined in.

And things got out of hand. The students gheraoed the registrar's car and refused to let him come out. For seven hours they held him prisoner.

Retribution was swift. The students apologized but it was too late. Late because the students had restored to closing all the gates of the University for several hours at least three times in the past year. There were other instances too. Taken all together, the administration proceeded with its inquiry into the matter.

The students predictably are demanding that there should be no punishment for their acts and that the administration is against their demands for the construction workers. There might or might not be truth in that matter. But what the students forget is that gheraoing a person and keeping him/her confined in a car is human rights violation. What if the person had suffered a panic attack? Or was diabetic? Who would have taken the responsibility?

Which really brings me to biggest grouse I have. Everyone demands their rights. But no one ever talks about their duties or responsibilities. Don't all these go hand in hand?