Students Triumph as Nrupatunga University Roll Backs Sudden Fee Hike
Bengaluru: In a powerful display of student unity and democratic action, a protest led by the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and the Nrupatunga University Students’ Struggle Committee (NUSSC) forced the administration of Nrupatunga University to reverse a sudden and significant fee hike on Tuesday. The successful agitation underscores the efficacy of peaceful protest in safeguarding educational rights.
The demonstration, held on the university’s main campus, saw hundreds of students from various courses rally against the administration’s abrupt decision to dramatically increase admission fees for final-year students. The university had raised the fees for BCA students to ₹29,255 from last year’s ₹21,150, and for BSc students to ₹12,325 from ₹9,310. The hike for BBA students was also reported to be similarly steep.
A Burden Too Heavy to Bear
For a vast number of students, many from economically modest families, the unexpected financial demand was untenable. The move was widely criticized as a step towards the commercialisation of education, placing profit over accessibility and threatening to derail the academic careers of those unable to pay the new sums.
“The unexpected increase placed an unbearable financial burden on a majority of students,” a statement from the organizing groups highlighted, pointing to the profound anxiety the decision caused across the student body.
A Democratic Victory
The protest, characterized by its peaceful and determined nature, drew the attention of the university’s highest authority. Vice Chancellor Fazia Sultana arrived at the protest site to engage with the demonstrating students. In a significant concession, she publicly committed to rolling back the recently imposed fee hike for second and third-year BCA, BBA, and BSc students.
This commitment marks a major victory for the student groups, who have hailed it as a testament to the power of collective action. The organizations underscored that the success reinforces “the importance of a democratic struggle against the commercialisation of education.”
The outcome serves as a potent reminder that peaceful assembly and dialogue are fundamental pillars of a democracy. It is a powerful inspiration for students across the nation, demonstrating that when voices unite clearly and constructively for a just cause, they can prompt authority to listen and enact positive change.
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The swift resolution is expected to bring relief to hundreds of affected students and their families, allowing them to continue their education without the looming stress of unaffordable costs. The student groups have stated they will remain vigilant to ensure the administration’s promise is fulfilled in a timely manner.
