Protest at JNU in Delhi broke out over a steep hike in hostel fee
Hundreds of protesting students of Delhi's prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University clashed with the policemen brought in to control them this afternoon. Policemen in riot gear, completely outnumbered by the students, were seen jostling with the crowd that wanted to meet the vice-chancellor. The protesters toppled barricades and hurled shoes at the police, who earlier used batons and water cannons. The students, objecting plans for what they claim is a huge hike in hostel fees, amped up their protest as the university held its convocation that was attended by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'. While the University has claimed the hike is not huge, the students say it will hit those from deprived families who made it to the elite institution.
Here are the Top 10 developments in this big story:
The protest was called off on Monday evening after assurances from the Human Resource Development ministry that the students' concerns will be addressed. Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', who accompanied Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu at the convocation, met Aishi Ghosh, president of the JNU Students Union.
The ministry said the Deans have met the students and assured them that the issue will be discussed at a meeting on November 15, which would be attended by the hostel authorities and presidents. "Discussions cannot happen on the street," a senior official said.
On Monday morning, students tried to cross police barricades and march towards the All India Council for Technical Education in Vasant Kunj, where Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu was addressing the convocation ceremony.
As the police locked the gates of the AICTE and blocked the area, the gathering outside grew. The students toppled the barricades and pulled them away. Some were even seen sitting on them. Some of the protesters were detained as they tried to break the blockade.
The protesting students claimed that Vice Chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar has turned down repeated requests for a meeting and discussion on the fee hike and other issues. They remained at the site despite the Students' Union's requests to disperse.
"The fee hike will affect an overwhelming number of students. It denies those from the deprived sections to avail education if they cannot pay. It crushes the dream of equality irrespective of ability to afford," read a statement from the JNU Students Union.
The students also object to some other proposed changes, which they say, includes dress code and curfew timings. The JNUSU called it a "regressive dystopia that the admin wants JNU to become".
Giving a break-up of the proposed hike, the university said it is not massive. Curbs on free movement or dress code are not happening either. "The JNU Administration appeals to the student community not to be misled by rumours," the university said in a statement.
Established in 1969, the premier university, which draws a number of students from deprived families, has been often been criticised.
The criticism grew sharp after its student leader, Kanhaiya Kumar, and a few others were charged with sedition over alleged anti-India slogans raised at an event on Afzal Guru, the man hanged for the Parliament attack.
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