The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) protested outside the Pondicherry University campus today against the administration's demand for exam fees despite the cancellation of exams. The student group claims that the 'drama' surrounding the circulars issued by the University has still not ended.

"The circular drama of Pondicherry University has not ended yet. Recently in a circular issued on 16-06-2020, the university has asked the students to pay the exam fees for an exam that was cancelled after a long struggle by students backed by organisations such as NSUI," their statement said.

The student group added that the demand for fees despite the exams being cancelled, shows how the system has drifted away from its values. "The university had earlier issued a vague circular that was taken down immediately due to students' protest. It was also demanding students to submit assignments and attend internals within absurd time frames with little regard for the convenience of the students," the NSUI claimed in their statement.

Promising to continue the protests till the students are 'given the respect they deserve', the NSUI also said, "The Pondicherry government recommended that the University make amends for the collection of examination fees, yet the University has not responded and the last date of payment of fee without fine still remains June 30 on the university website. This along with the fall in the NIRF ranking of Pondicherry University bring into question the priority the University is giving students."