As Pondicherry University fee strike intensifies, admin announces convocation  

Even as students of the Pondicherry University have intensified their protests against the administration over their fee hike, preparations for the convocation is in full swing. This year, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu is scheduled to deliver the 28th convocation address and distribute certificates to the graduates on February 26. 

The students who launched their protests eight days ago have been going steady with their demonstration. From boycotting classes to taking out marches, occupying the administration block, the students have been protesting as well as inviting other students to participate in their demonstration. Over the last two days, several other prominent universities and student groups are also extending their support. Not just colleges, a few MPs including TK Rangarajan, MP from Rajya Sabha and Dr D Ravikumar from the Lok Sabha have both written to the VC to revoke the hiked fee. MLA RKR Anantharaman has also tweeted his support for the cause. 

Students from the University of Hyderabad, JNU, SFI-JNU, Presidency University, SFI-HCU, Progressive Students' Forum, TISS, AUD Students Union have all extended their support.

The administration constituted a four-member grievance committee to handle the concerns of the students. This is the second time that the administration is constituting a committee, the students complained that their meetings with the previous one did not yield any positive response in favour of the students. The Students' Union claimed that the committee turned a deaf year to their issues. Today, the present Union members met with the committee and had a long meeting. 

Parichay Yadav, the President of the Pondicherry University Students Union said that he felt this time the committee's approach was 'positive' and said that they have been called for another meeting on Monday. "They seemed positive but we have to wait and see what comes of it. We placed our demands in front of them and said we wanted the fees to be completely revoked. There was some discussion on a considerable hike in two or three departments but we will continue the discussion on Monday," he said.

When asked if this meant that the students would call off the strike, Parichay said that the protest would go on till a favourable solution is found. With the convocation on February 26 being just around the corner, we asked the Union President if the protests would continue in case the administration doesn't revoke the fees by then, "Yes, in case it's not solved by then we will have to continue the strike. We have to see how things go," he said.