ABVP protests fee hike in Himachal Pradesh Universities, demands rollback for students’ welfare
Shimla, August 3: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Monday staged protests against recent fee hikes at major Himachal universities, terming them anti-student, and demanded an immediate rollback at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, and Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, while also seeking an impartial probe into allegations against the Vice Chancellor of Nauni University.
In a statement issued on Monday, ABVP State Co-Secretary Bhawani Thakur said that instead of viewing education as a right, the state government is making it a financial burden. He alleged that the continuous fee hikes at universities are putting additional financial pressure on students and their families. He said that such fee hikes, in a time of inflation and unemployment, are a matter of serious concern for students.
Bhawani Thakur claimed that fees for various courses and examinations at Himachal Pradesh University have been increased by 25 to 27 percent. According to him, fees at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, have been increased by 52 to 62 percent, and at the Agricultural University, Palampur, by 30 to 38 percent. He said that such increases could make it difficult for students from poor, rural, and middle-class families to pursue higher education.
He said that during the elections, promises were made to provide affordable and quality education to the youth, but now the burden of the university’s financial situation is being placed on the students. He said that education should not be considered a source of income and the government should provide adequate budgetary support to universities.
The ABVP also demanded an impartial investigation into the serious allegations leveled against the Vice Chancellor of Nauni University. The council stated that an impartial investigation into the matter will reveal the facts and restore the confidence of students and the university system.
The council has demanded that the fee hikes made in all universities of the state, including Himachal Pradesh University, Nauni University, and Agricultural University, be withdrawn with immediate effect. The ABVP has warned that if the government does not withdraw the fee hike decision and does not conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations against the Vice Chancellor of Nauni University, the council will launch a phased democratic movement across the state.
