Students lock teachers, cut power over denied holi event

Refused permission for a Holi event, student leaders reportedly locked their teachers inside a hall and even cut off the power supply at a prominent Indore college, officials said on Tuesday.

Following the incident at the Government Holkar Science College on Monday, the district administration directed an inquiry. Student activists protesting against the refusal to grant permission for a Holi celebration locked a room in which teachers were, and cut off the power supply, an official said.

A few teachers were kept out of the room for nearly half an hour as students raised slogans. A college staff member who was also trapped inside managed to escape through a window and open the door, freeing the teachers.

District Magistrate Ashish Singh termed the incident "extremely serious." The principal of the college Dr Anamika Jain had complained, and an Additional District Magistrate (ADM) was requested to probe the incident, he informed reporters. "Action will be taken accordingly on the report of the ADM," he asserted. No police case has been lodged in the case so far. 

The Holkar Science College was founded 133 years ago by the then Holkar rulers of Indore. A few students had decided to hold the "Holkar Ka Holi Fest" event with an entry charge of Rs 150 on March 7, with DJ performances and a `rain dance', sponsored by a coaching class for civil services exams. Although the administration of the college refused permission for the event, they proceeded and posted posters on campus promoting the same.