Student Protest at Army Law College Pune Escalates with Police Involvement Over Unresolved Issues

On Friday, tensions reached a breaking point at the Army Law College (ALC) Pune, as police were called in response to a protest by students over longstanding grievances.

The students, who characterized their protest as peaceful and a “last resort,” explained that they had repeatedly voiced their concerns through the Army Welfare Education Society’s grievance system without success. In a letter addressed to the college chairman, they highlighted issues including academic mismanagement, harassment, disorganization of the timetable, overcrowded hostels, discrimination based on parental military rank, and financial opacity.

Among the specific complaints were instances of faculty members teaching subjects outside their expertise, such as a constitutional law lecturer assigned to international law. Additionally, students reported the loss of 40 days of finance classes following a faculty resignation and alleged that replacements were hired based on personal connections to the principal rather than qualifications. Questions were also raised regarding the Rs 13,000 NCC enrollment fee, budget reductions for major events, and alleged resource misuse.

The situation intensified when police were summoned to the campus. Students perceived this as an attempt at intimidation, whereas Principal Dr. Madhushree Joshi justified the action by stating that the protest posed a threat to her office and violated restricted areas. Dr. Joshi minimized the scale of the unrest, attributing it to “a few motivated individuals,” and emphasized the importance of discipline given ALC’s military background.

Dr. Joshi stated that “neither was the protest expected nor required,” pointing out that the ALC office is always open for dialogue. She confirmed that academics were not disrupted, as classes continued normally. She urged students to maintain decorum and assured them that their letter would be addressed according to ALC's procedures.

By Sunday night, the chairman’s office had not issued a formal response. Students have indicated that unless their demands, such as the reinstatement of the student council and the replacement of senior administrators, are met, they are willing to persist with their protests.