Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets Saturday to seek reversal of what they call an unfair rise in housing and catering charges. The protesters have vowed to continue demanding the lowering of these charges.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students took to the streets to protests what they termed as ‘anti-poor’ policies being implemented by the government. This is after an increase in housing and other service fees.
The protests started in October and the calls to have the fees revised have so far fallen on deaf ears. The students have vowed to continue with these protests until their demands are met. They have indicated that if this policy is implemented, it will end up pushing poor students out of schools.
Former students and other universities have joined JNU students in protesting these changes by the universities. On Saturday, the students took to the streets chanting “affordable education for all” and calling students to fight for their rights. The rising cost of mess and hostel charges is pushing a lot of students into a state of struggle as they try to survive in school.
Protesters demands
The protesters on Saturday had vowed to march towards the Indian parliament but three kilometers out, they were stopped by heavily armed police. The fee increase in contention is the $8 a month single occupancy fee rise from less than a dollar and the doubling of security deposit up to $160.
The JNU students union said that most students in the institution come from a poor background that earns less than 144,000 rupees ($2,018) of annual income. This increase in the cost of education is disenfranchising such students and may have dire consequences on their education. They have also asked for the sacking of their vice-chancellor.
Yogendra Yadav, a former JNU student and president of the Swaraj India party in solidarity with the students said,
The fee hike announced by the administration would deprive about 80 percent of students from quality education as most people in our country cannot afford to pay such high fees.
It is clear that this call is calling for the changes that would allow students from all financial backgrounds to access quality education. The students’ leaders have made it clear that universities should not prioritize money over their students. They are calling for education for all regardless of background.
While the main reason for the protests is fee hike, students are also showing their resentment over the university’s new laws and regulations under which their visiting timings are restricted and proper dress codes are defined.
Featured image by Pixabay
