After a day-long protest to make the Sports For All programme optional following the death of a student, Mahima J, Alexander Jesudasan, the Principal of the Madras Christian College finally addressed the protesting students. According to students, Jesudasan has agreed to call a meeting with the students, faculty and admin representatives to discuss the now-controversial Sports for All programme within the "next two days".
He is also believed to have said that he's waiting to receive a formal application on this. "The moment I receive the application, I'll call a meeting with the authorities and 2 student representatives of the students' choice to discuss the policy we're taking. If the committee feels that Sports For All should be discontinued, we won't oppose it. The decision will be communicated to the students," he said. He also assured that the programme will not be conducted tomorrow and on Monday.
A first-year BSc Chemistry student, Mahima collapsed and died on Monday evening after doing the mandatory jogging required by the Sports For All programme. The first year students have to spend at least 120 hours on the field to receive two credits needed for completing their degree. Even though she was rushed to the Christudas Orthopaedic Speciality Hospital in Tambaram, she was declared dead on arrival.
Around 2,000 students staged a protest against the mandatory sports class from 9 in the morning on the campus premises on Tuesday. The college had posted a notice to the effect that classes were suspended after the 10.20 am break so that they could attend her funeral.
