Pune University will give gold medals to vegetarians only, students protest

In a bizarre development Pune University has declared that it will give gold medals to those candidates only who are vegetarians, must not have any substance addiction and must be proponents of Indian culture. The new announcement by the university states that only those students who fall under this category should consider themselves eligible for the candidacy for gold medal.

The university's rule has been announced to select the candidates eligible for a gold medal which will be given out under the name of Shelar Mama.

Pune University students even say that there are no vegetarian students in the university. And being vegetarian has no connection with academic excellence.

MPhil student Ramdas Waghmare told NH , “This announcement by the university is unconstitutional. Most of the students of the university are non- vegetarian. Then on what basis will they give gold medal? We are calling for a protest on Sunday. we will demand that the university withdraws the circular.”

Politician Supriya Sule, the Nationalist Congress Party MP tweeted:

Yuva Sena leader Aditya Thackeray tweeted: “substance abuse is fine but vegetarian? Are they running a restaurant? What is the connection between vegetarianism and gold medal? Give a gold medal to those who issued this order and then dismiss them.”

Students too tweeted against this order calling it ridiculous and irrational. Some even called it a text book case of fascism.

Various student organisation have called for a joint protest against this order on Sunday.

Savitribai Phule Pune University incidentally is one of the premier universities of India. Established in 1949, the university “believes that the Academic flourishes with support of efficient and transparent administration. Student centric education approach will empower the upcoming generations.”