Initially, it was the student union leaders who disrupted classes, first over the development fee issue, and more recently, over admissions to the Commerce faculty. Then the teachers took up the baton, staying away from classes to press for the revision of their pay-scales according to the recommendations of the University Grants Commission rather than the Rastogi Commission.

That is not to say the stirs were -- or are -- unjustified, at least for the agitators. For the students spearheading the agitation against the Commerce cut-offs, the motivation came from the hundreds of mediocre students who would literally be cut off from a good education.

And for the All India Federation for University and College Teachers' Organisation, the continuation of their present pay-scales gave lie to Central assurances that 80 per cent of their increased expenditure allowances (as per UGC guidelines) would be paid for 51 months and they would have better career development prospects through the introduction of direct recruitment of readers and professors in autonomous colleges.

According to AIFUCTO spokesmen, none of these promises have been fulfilled; on the contrary, satisfactory service-based third promotions have been stymied. Also, they say, the Centre is yet to consider its demand for recommendation of part-time teachers, instructors and accompanists.

Ironically, the teachers -- those actively involved in the agitation and those only interested in the outcome -- are only too aware that classes are being affected badly. Says a teacher at the Faculty of Social Work, ``Though the admissions are long over, the students are yet to sit through their first proper lecture.''

A senior professor of the Arts faculty, however, dismisses the damage done. ``This is just the beginning of the academic session. "The students start attending classes in all seriousness only after the Diwali vacations'', he says, adding that the committed students weren't dependent on the teachers anyway.

While a Science faculty student agrees a teacher isn't necessary every stage of the way in the university, ``they are essential during the practicals. It is these courses that are suffering the most because of the teachers' stir.''

Student union leaders, too, say the agitation will not help the students in any way.

While the Arts faculty professor took pains to point out the teachers were always available in their respective rooms for any student who might need them, Baroda University Teachers' Association general secretary Nikhil Desai has no compunctions about admitting that this was the only way the teachers could hope to get the government's attention. ``Only if classes are paralysed all over the country will the Centre sit up'', he adds.

But as each section of the campus stands firm on its `principles', it is the university and education that pays the price.