Hundreds protest in Delhi against fee hike

New Delhi, November 23

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Delhi on Saturday in support of the students’ protest against the hostel and mess fee hike in Jawaharlal Nehru University.

The protesters, including members of civil society, JNU alumni and students, raised slogans, asking the varsity administration to roll back the fee hike and the government to “make education affordable to all”.

Kanhaiya Kumar, former Jawahalal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president, said it is not a question of right or left but a question of right and wrong.

“There are some public universities that are doing good in the education sector, and thus have become an eyesore for the government. Spending money on universities is considered a waste of capital, but it is not a waste when it comes to building a statue of Rs 3,000 crore. The women and backward people will be hit due to this fee hike,” he said.

A history student from Ambedkar University said, “Today, they have hiked the fee at JNU. Tomorrow, it could happen at other Central and state universities. People say it’s a matter of just Rs 300, that it is not a big deal but the manner in which this government is trying to suppress the students is not being spoken about. People who can’t afford education elsewhere come to JNU. They belong to lower castes, come from poor families, are adivasis.” The protest saw the presence of people of all age groups and regions. The colourful flags from different universities filled the streets of central Delhi. PTI