25 days of protests. Spending chilly nights outside the UGC premises. Dharnas. “Baat karo, Bahar aao, Bahar aao”, ka naara outside the HRD ministry. Marches. Lathi charge. Biased media coverage.
WHY?
UGC announced the cancellation of the whole set of fellowships given to the students engaged in the research at the M. Phil and Ph. D level. Not only has this, the Modi Govt, literally planned to sell the education in India. India now is the party to World Trade Organization (WTO). Once the agreement comes to effect, the government will be bound to protect corporate interests that indulge in the trade of education. The WTO regime would make even harder for the students from the backward grounds to pursue higher education. Is this how Modi plans to “make in India”?
The fact is, he should have increased the number of fellowships and the meagre amount which is provided to the students of M. Phil and Ph.D so that as many students as possible are inspired and get the chance to take part in the fellowships. This would brighten their future, India’s future. But then, Modi plans to sell education in bazaar so students too aren’t afraid to shout that Education is their right and not their privilege.
The UGC says that the Non NET fellowship would be on the basis of the merit for the coming years. This absurd logic is basically like, if I do not do well in class 12 boards, my parents won’t let me study for the graduation even if I want to. Is this not demotivating students? It certainly is. It is the duty of the government to see that all the students are doing what they want to, they study as much they want to.
In Delhi:
On 21st October, the Delhi University students from different universities started “Occupying the UGC” grounds. (University Grants Commission is the government mandated body which governs the funding of the universities of the country.) This upsurge had not only agitated the research scholars all over the country but also triggered the need for protests against the state violence among a huge mass of the students, which is obvious. The students were lathicharged by the police. Few were severely beaten too. Students alleged that police used force on them and that some of the students were injured in the clash while few were arrested and were taken to Bhalswa Police Station at the Outskirts of Delhi. Students are still on the protest and are spending days and nights outside the UGC office.
In Kolkata:
Jadavpur University is also walking hand in hand with the DU protesters. Hundreds of students had hit the street and protested outside the UGC office on 3rd November. Media didn’t cover the march since it was banner less. They had marched under the Aisa banner on 30th October. 17 students were arrested on this day. The students of JU feel education should be given to all. They shouldn’t be judged on the basis of their deserving or not deserving thing. It is their right and they should have it at any cost if they want to.
In Mumbai:
Researchers from Mumbai had also announced their support to the DU protesters.
Students from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, IIT Bombay, IIPS etc had sat on dharnas to express their solidarity with their mates of DU. They say this movement of scrapping the Non-net fellowship might discourage the quantity and quality research which is already below the International level.
The ABVP goons had tried their best to spoil all the efforts students are putting. They abuse, throw stones, uses all nonsensical words while the police does nothing. This is how BJP minister tries to *Make in India* and thinks for the betterment of the society. I say students are the society. Think for the betterment of the students, India will rise automatically.
