THE new academic session of the University of Sindh is new in terms of days but not in terms of academic activities. The assassination of Profeesor Bashir Channar and the subsequent tug-of-war between the Sindh University Teachers Association (SUTA) and the vice-chancellor has brought the academic activities to a standstill. The SUTA has held the vice-chancellor responsible for all this mess and has demanded his resignation. But neither the vice-chancellor resigns nor the SUTA leaders agree to resume academic activities. Both conflicting parties have taken a firm stand.

No doubt, the demand put forwarded by SUTA, such as the resignation of the vice-chancellor and recruitment of a new one from academic background, ban on political wings and activation of genuine students union, carries weight, but all this should not be done at the cost of academic activities.

Students, especially newcomers, should not suffer.

Nothing may compensate the loss of their precious time.

Boycott of classes by teachers will only bring despair for students.

There are other means of protest besides boycotting classes.

JAMIL JUNEJO Hyderabad