President Ram Nath Kovind to attend Puducherry University convocation despite students' boycott call

Puducherry University students have called for a boycott of the event to express solidarity with students across the country are "facing state repression and to protest the implementation of legislation (Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens)”.

Puducherry: President Ram Nath Kovind would deliver the convocation address at the Puducherry University on December 23. However, students have called for a boycott citing “injustice meted out to students who protested the CAA and NRC”. 

A lot of security arrangements have been made ahead of his visit to Puducherry on December 23 where he is expected to attend a gathering, but mystery looms large over the actual attendance.

Among other dignitaries at the convocation are Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory Kiran Bedi, chief minister V Narayanasamy, MPs N Gokulakrishnan (Rajya Sabha), V Vaithilingam (Lok Sabha) and territorial ministers MOHF Shah Jahan and R Kamalakannan.

The decision to boycott the event was taken to express solidarity with students across the country "facing state repression" and to protest the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens, according to reports.