Earlier this month, students had submitted over 700 signatures opposing the fee hike
Students at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) began a relay hunger strike on Monday morning to protest the fee hike imposed by the institute from the upcoming semesters. Nine postgraduate students started the hunger strike on Monday and called for the institute officials’ attention to speak regarding the imposition of the fee hike.
The Institute recently declared a hike in its fee structure for both- undergraduate and postgraduate students---under several heads like hostel rent, gymkhana charges, medical expenses, and exam charges for the academic year 2017-18. The hike is for both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at the Institute and ranges between 30-300 per cent and students have to pay the sum by July 11, 2017, with delayed payments permissible till July 19, against a fine of Rs 100 per day.
Several students called the hike ‘unreasonable’ and ‘imposed without consultation’. Earlier this month, students had also submitted a representation with over 700 signatures opposing the hike.
“We tried to speak to the institute authorities on several occasions regarding the abrupt fee hike. Despite our attempts, we did not get any positive response from the administration. Most of us are not in a position to pay such high fees as we are dependent on our stipends and also have to send some money home,” said a research scholar and one of the protestors from the institute.
Students said that they would continue the relay hunger strike until the administration gives a satisfactory response to their questions and rolls back the hike. “Everyday a new set of students will continue the hunger strike in a relay manner. We will not stop until our demands are met,” said another research scholar.
Soumyo Mukherjee, Dean, Student Affairs said that there is a committee in place to take a call about the fee hike which is yet to give its decision. “The committee, formed by the institute director will meet and discuss as to what can be done on the issue. However, students should understand that the hike is in lieu of the rising costs,” he added.
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