large number of students of AU protested at the campus and on the main road in front of AU’s senate hall campus, on Tuesday
Students said the agitation, which began on July 10, would continue until the administration takes concrete steps to address their demands. Protesters alleged that fees for undergraduate programmes are being increased by around 10% annually, while postgraduate fees are rising by nearly 14% each year. The students have also demanded the appointment of a fully functional chief proctor and alleged that nearly 6,000 seats have been cut across different programmes.
The escalation comes amid an indefinite hunger strike launched by students. Stay updated with the latest Prayagraj news. A large number of students assembled at the main gate before taking out a march across the campus, raising slogans against the university administration. They later staged a road blockade outside the gate as part of their ‘Chhatra Mahajutan’ protest. The protesters were primarily affiliated with the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). The demonstration caused significant disruption on MLN Road, which passes in front of AU’s main gate, also known as the Library Gate. The blockade led to heavy traffic congestion, inconveniencing commuters, including students, officegoers and locals, as vehicles were diverted to alternative routes. However, protesters allowed an ambulance to pass through. Eight students have joined the fast. Among the key demands are the rollback of fee hikes, restoration of seats reduced across various academic programmes, reinstatement of suspended students and improvement of basic facilities, including the university health centre and round-the-clock access to the central library. They claimed the repeated hikes are making higher education increasingly inaccessible for students from economically weaker sections. They have called for the restoration of all reduced seats. Previous phases of the agitation had also highlighted demands for better hostel and library facilities, as well as 24×7 healthcare services on campus. Tuesday’s protest also witnessed sporadic tension between the agitating students, police personnel and AU security staff. Download the TOI App.
Prayagraj : Students of Allahabad University (AU) on Tuesday intensified their agitation against fee hikes, reduction in academic seats and inadequate campus facilities by holding a mass mobilisation, marching through the campus and blocking traffic on the busy Motilal Nehru (MLN) Road outside the university’s main gate. The agitation intensified on Monday when students shifted their sit-in from the students’ union building to the main gate and began an indefinite hunger strike.