Dental students during a protest at Panjab University. Pradeep Tewari
Chandigarh, November 3
The protest for a hike in stipend by students of BDS and MDS courses of Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Panjab University, entered the third day today.
As a result, the Gate No. 1 of the campus remained closed. The students decided to launch a chain hunger strike during which two students will sit on the daylong protest on a rotational basis. “We will wait till Monday afternoon for the authorities to respond. In case of no response, we will launch an indefinite hunger strike,” said Rajan, a protester. Two third-year students — Ranmeekjot Kaur and Rajan — sat on a hunger strike on Friday.
One of the students said, “The protest will continue overnight with seniors and juniors taking turns.”
Earlier, Prof Hemant Batra, head of the dental institute, reached the protest site on Thursday night to acknowledge the students’ demand. Even as he tried to assure them of all possible help, the students asked for a tentative date by which their issue would be resolved. His response to the question was, “If I am trying to address this problem, it doesn’t mean you will now start pressuring me.”
The PU authorities claim dental courses are self-financed and as such, funds cannot be expected from them or the UT Administration. To this, students respond if teachers could get salaries on a par with their counterparts in government institutes, then the government should cater to them as well.
The protesters claimed they had been receiving a stipend between Rs 9,000 and Rs 10,000 per month since 2009. They said it was much lower than their peers in other institutes. The MBBS interns at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, get a stipend of Rs 26,500 per month, they claimed.
The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
Most Read In 24 Hours
Don't Miss
View All
Top News
Air India Express cabin crew call off strike; airline to reinstate 25 terminated crew members
To minimise disruptions, Air India is operating flights on 2...
Delhi liquor 'scam': Right to campaign in elections not a fundamental right, ED in fresh affidavit against Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea
The Bench had on May 7 hinted at Kejriwal’s release on inter...
Nijjar killing case: India says Canada has not shared any specific evidence or information yet
The MEA spokesperson says many of India's extradition reques...
Haryana political crisis: JJP leader Dushyant Chautala writes to Governor Dattatreya, seeks floor test; Congress demands President's rule
Grand Old Party seeks time to meet Governor Bandaru Dattatre...
9 killed after explosion at fireworks manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi
Seven rooms stocked with firecrackers were completely gutted...
