Ultimatum to shut JNMDA issued

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 15: Government Dance College, Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy and Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Music College will be shut down indefinitely if the impasse regarding admission to MA in Manipur University of Culture (MUC) is not resolved by January 18, said student unions of the three colleges today.
Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Music College Student Union general secretary Phijam Mahendra said students of the three colleges have been tagged ineligible for admission to MA courses in the MUC as these colleges are not recognised by the UGC (University Grants Commission). Nonetheless, these colleges are recognised by the Government and there would be no point in studying in these colleges if the students are not provided the avenue to pursue further studies in the Manipur University of Culture. If the students of the three colleges are not allowed to get admission in the MUC, these colleges will be shut down indefinitely as they (colleges) have no purpose, he said.
The students have been appealing authorities concerned and the Government to allow the students of the three colleges to get admission in the MUC since the last 2 months. Till today, the Government and the authorities concerned have not heard the students’ plea for their career, he added. Government Dance College Student Union general secretary Saknaibi Potsangbam said, “It is unfortunate that the students of the colleges, which have been functioning for 66 years, are not allowed to pursue further studies in the Manipur University of Culture. These colleges have been producing hundreds of students every year for the last 66 years.”
The Govt and the authorities concerned should resolve the impasse and allow the students to get admission in the MUC. The students would be forced to shut down the colleges indefinitely if the authorities concerned do not resolve the issue and allow the students to get admission by January 18. Promoting art and culture requires promoting performing art and the students of these colleges should be given the chance to pursue higher education in the MUC, she said.