It was in October 2019 that students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University boycotted their classes, raised slogans and held placards that said 'Fees Must Fall' against the allegedly undemocratic hike in their hostel fees. A year has passed and the movement's wave has reached the gates of Ambedkar University Delhi, which is barely 10 kilometres away from JNU. On Monday, a group of 50 students, including the Students' Council members staged a protest and met the Vice-Chancellor, demanding a relaxation of their fees, keeping the COVID situation in mind.
The students have also submitted a memorandum, asking the administration to disburse the Students' Welfare Fund for the past two semesters. "We have also asked the university to roll back the infra aid, considering there are no on-campus activities this year," says Navina, the councillor who represents MA Visual Arts. They are also raising their voice against the university's current reservation policy and seeking the filling of all the SC, ST and OBC seats.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, AUD had been conducting its classes online. The students whom Edexlive spoke to say that the administration had promised tablets and the reimbursement of internet charges, for students who cannot afford those. However, they say that no student has received these so far. Raising the same demands, the students also staged a protest in the university's campus on October 1. They say that they have been boycotting online classes and haven't been submitting assignments, as a protest.
We have asked the university for their comment. The copy will be updated when they respond.
