Both the warring student factions at Presidency College, Kolkata, have never seen eye-to-eye on any issue. But things seem to be different when it comes to their demand to grant the college the university status.

The Students Federation of India (SFI), which is representing the students’ body and the Independent’s Consolidation (IC), the Opposition, is pressing together for the university status.

According to Richa Chowdhury, the general secretary of the College students union, it is necessary for the college to be upgraded to a university.

“The university status will no doubt be good for the college in future. But on what sort of university we need, we will have to arrive at a general consensus on this,” said Chowdhury. After the college general body meeting, which was held on November 3, a proposal was sent to the Higher Education department. According to the College authorities the proposal will be sent to the Higher Education Department on Monday.

The college has been demanding autonomy for quite some time now. In 2007, the college was granted only partial autonomy. Interestingly, after the present academic session started, one of the most prestigious institution in the state saw more than 100 students leaving the institution and joining other academic institutions.

The college students union elections are likely to be held in February next year and the issue of university status is going to dominate the election agenda. Both the factions are trying to take an advantage of it and campaigning has already started. On November 3, IC took out a victory rally insisting that it is their victory.

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