‘Against stipulated 70% attendance, NLU fixes threshold at 75%’
Shillong, May 15: Students of National Law University (NLU) Meghalaya, aggrieved over a range of issues, launched a protest on Thursday, days after NLU introduced a compulsory uniform policy.
Although the uniform policy triggered sharp criticism among the students, the protest was the result of alleged mounting academic pressure, strict attendance rules, and lack of transparency in functioning of NLU administration..
The issue of uniforms is only a small part of wider frustrations that have been building on campus over academic and welfare-related matters, the students alleged.
They said the uncertainty surrounding the university’s academic structure, particularly under the major-minor system, has left many confused about course allocation, evaluation methods and academic requirements.
According to aggrieved students, clear guidelines on how the framework is meant to function are still unavailable despite the system already being implemented.
Concerns have also been raised over the trimester system, which students allegedly claim that it has intensified academic stress while leaving little room for illness, emergencies, or personal difficulties.
In a media release, a student alleged that the university’s attendance policy has become excessively rigid, with students reportedly being debarred in 19 subjects during the previous trimester over attendance shortages.
The student further alleged that compulsory wellbeing sessions are also being linked to attendance calculations, which many students feel defeats the purpose of such programmes and adds to existing academic pressure.
“There is a growing feeling among students that the administration is focusing on symbolic decisions while larger academic and welfare concerns remain unresolved,” the student said.
Apart from academic issues, students also pointed to problems relating to hostel accommodation and daily commuting.
Due to limited residential facilities, several students are reportedly staying off-campus and travelling through difficult terrain to attend classes and access university facilities.
Questions have also been raised over the university’s attendance norms.
Students claimed that while the Bar Council of India prescribes 70 per cent attendance as the minimum requirement, NLU Meghalaya has fixed the threshold at 75 per cent.
They further alleged that attendance shortages also affect internal marks, with deductions imposed for every five per cent shortfall.
The students additionally expressed dissatisfaction over issues such as food quality and what they described as a lack of institutional transparency.
They alleged that General Council meeting minutes and RTI replies have not been regularly uploaded on the university website.
Despite the criticism, the students maintained that the protest remains peaceful and is intended to push for dialogue and administrative accountability rather than confrontation.
They have urged the university administration to address concerns relating to academic clarity, attendance regulations, student welfare and transparency through consultation with the student community.
