New Delhi: The stretch of road from India Gate to Jantar Mantar yesterday looked like a fortress with more than 500 students from the Delhi Technological University (DTU) demonstrating the tiff upon the status of the university by taking out a candlelight march under the vigil of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the local police.

The march took place after the college authorities, a day before their midterm examinations, allegedly snatched the identity cards of many students from them.

Vineet, a DTU student said that, "We are being unduly pressurized by the Vice Chancellor and a few members of the faculty. Our I-cards have been snatched to restrict our movement in and out of the campus leading to many hostellers vacate their rooms. We are now boycotting the examinations."

In order to avoid any violence in the campus, approximately 200 police personnel were deployed outside at the Bawana road yesterday morning.

Karnal Singh, joint commissioner of police, northern range said that, "So far no case of violence involving a student has been reported from the campus."

The demands of the protesting students were to restore the conversion of DTU into Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) as well as cancel the suspension of two students who initiated the protest.

Ravi Shekhar, president of the student's union and Nitin Baraiya are the two students who were rusticated by the college authorities after they played an active part in being the frontier of the protests.

Another reason for the protest came out to be the 'anarchic rule' of the Vice Chancellor P.B. Sharma as the agitating students said that, "It is his personal agenda which is marring the goodwill of the institution."

Ashwin, a fourth year student participating in the candlelight march said that, "We have been protesting peacefully while the VC is using undue force on us. With a tainted past he has been allowed to serve as the head of an educational institution, for which we demand his resignation."

Many students were also accompanied by their parents while some of the alumni had also joined in to support the cause.

According to the parents, the upgradation of DCE to DTU will severely affect the career prospects of their wards and the government should seriously think upon their decision on the same.

"I am glad that students, including my ward have chosen to protest and boycott the examination for it is for a greater cause and I totally support them," said a parent S.K Nagpal.

"The mid-semester exam for BE/ B.Tech. courses of DTU are to begin from March 15, 2010. The University has made necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of examination and ensures adequate security to those who want to appear in the examination," said an official press release from DTU.

The Vice Chancellor of DTU, Prof. P.B. Sharma had again issued an appeal to the students saying, "No one will force any one to appear in exams nor will any one be allowed to stop any student from appearing in the examination. As some mischievous elements are trying to spread rumors through sms and mail, to misguide the students, my appeal to all students is that please do not be mislead by rumors. I sincerely hope that the talented student community of DTU shall respect the sanctity of the academic calendar and shall extend all cooperation for the smooth conduct of the examination."

Around 3,000 students are expected to appear for the exam today, the local police have been requested to provide necessary protection to hostellers as well as day scholars.