Non-academic activities won't be allowed in campus: OU

The Osmania University today said activities unrelated to academics, including 'beef festival', 'pork festival' and 'Gau-puja', would not be permitted in the campus. "The primary objective of the University is purely academic and research-oriented. It is, therefore, informed to all the concerned including the teachers, students and staff of the University that activities such as 'Beef Festival', 'Pork Festival', 'Go-puja' etc., which are unrelated to academics and research, will not be permitted on the campus," the varsity said in a release. The varsity authorities and police have already denied permission to any festivities in the campus. A group of students called for organising 'beef festival' on December 10, coinciding with the international human rights day, against alleged attempts to curb the dietary habits of certain groups. Another group of students had said they would conduct a 'pork festival' on the same day. BJP MLA from Goshamahal here Raja Singh had vowed to stop the 'beef festival' and said a 'Gau puja' should be permitted if the proposed 'beef festival' is allowed. Noting that PG practical exams have already commenced in the university, the varsity said the conduct of any non-academic activity would disturb the academic environment in the institution. "The PG Practical exams have already commenced on 7th December, 2015 and the PG Theory exams are scheduled to commence from 14th December, 2015. Conduct of any non-academic activity would disturb the academic environment and the almanac," it said. The varsity sought cooperation of research scholars, students and the staff in maintaining academic environment in the institution. "Hence, cooperation of research scholars, students, teaching and non-teaching staff is solicited in maintaining the academic environment and peace in the entire university, in the larger interest of the student community," it added. A local court had yesterday ordered 'status quo' till December 21 vis- -vis the 'beef and pork festivals' proposed to be held in the Osmania University campus.