Published: 28th January 2021
Medical students across TN show solidarity with Rajah Muthiah Medical College students’ protest against high fees
The students have been called the fees ‘unfair’ because they claim they need to be charged fees that a regular government college student would be charged
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One of the colleges on protest
Today, medical students across the state have come out in support of the RMMCH students and protested. For the last 50 days, medical students from Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital and Dental College have been striking against the management for demanding exorbitant fees.
The Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association has been supporting the protesting students and today, urged all their members in campuses across Tamil Nadu to come out in solidarity. The students have been called the fees ‘unfair’ because they claim they need to be charged fees that a regular government college student would be charged. The college which is affiliated to Annamalai University, was taken over by the government in 2013. However, the students are complaining that they are being charged higher than even a self-financing college.
The students are being charged Rs 5.6 lakh for MBBS while a government college charges Rs 13,600 for a year and for MD/MS, the college charges Rs 9.6 lakh while a government college demands Rs 30,000. For BDS, the government college rates are Rs 11,610 and RMMCH demands Rs 3.5 lakh. For MDS, the college demands Rs 7.8 lakh, while a government college charges Rs 30,000.
In this protest, students are also extending support to Erode Government College, formerly the IRT Perundurai Medical college which is facing a similar situation. “The tuition fees has to be reduced and has to be brought under Tamil Nadu government college norms,” the students said. The students are also demanding that RMMCH be affiliated to MGR Medical University.
“We will also be protesting against the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Medical Commission Act 2019 which are both threats for us as well since we risk another hike in our fees. In Haryana, government colleges have increased the tuition fees from 50,000 to 10 lakhs. Medical colleges are operating like corporate companies. Therefore we stand united and will fight this daylight robbery,” the students said.
The students are insisting that the government intervene in the matter. A similar protest took place in 2017 but was called off after 40 days. This time, the students have been blocked from accessing hostels, mess and other facilities including classes. They have set up a kitchen outside on the campus, they are cooking and eating, the college has restored electricity and water after demands.
