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Allahabad University students continue protesting Fee Hikes

Allahabad University students who protested against a fee increase on Tuesday threatened to take "bhu samadhi" by burying

By Ground report 28 Sep 2022

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Allahabad University students continue protesting Fee Hikes

Allahabad University students who protested against a fee increase on Tuesday threatened to take "bhu samadhi" by burying themselves in a pit they dug at the protest site.

Some of them jumped into the five-foot moat near the protest site on the university campus and officers had to pull them out, police said. The additional police force was also called up. The students said their fees have almost tripled and they have been protesting for several days. Later they planted young trees in the hole.

In UP’s Prayagraj, students agitating against the fees hike in the Allahabad University attempt “Bhu Samadhi” as policemen jostle to break the protest. pic.twitter.com/kabOx8PgC6
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) September 27, 2022

Adarsh Singh Bhadauria, a student associated with NSUI, said they were ready to take their own lives to protest the fee increase, but the university administration was adamant about not withdrawing the increase.

Students affiliated with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad informed the Chancellor of Allahabad University about the ongoing turmoil through postcards.

A student leader spoke to the media. pic.twitter.com/JdSxTC7y7W
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) September 27, 2022

Students affiliated with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad informed the Chancellor of Allahabad University about the ongoing turmoil through postcards.

In a letter, they said the university administration made a 300 per cent fee increase in an unethical way because many students would be deprived of education, and a request has been filed to withdraw it.

State ABVP (sports activity) convener Kartikeya Pati Tripathi said: "Our fight is with the dictatorial vice-chancellor of Allahabad University because his decision (fee increase) is tarnishing the image of the central and state government."

One of the protesting students, Satyam Kushwaha, said that efforts are being made to crush the student movement using the force of the police and administration. But, the students are not going to be feared for the use of force.

He also said that the female students also participated in the protest over the fee increase, but they were not allowed to leave the hostel.

The Allahabad University fee for undergraduate courses, which was Rs 975 per year, has been increased to Rs 4,151 per year (by 300 per cent). Students are protesting the fee increase for the past 16 days and demanding that the fee increase be reduced.

Allahabad University spokesperson Jaya Kapoor said the fee increase will apply to students entering undergraduate courses, with the old fee structure still applicable to old students.