Jammu, June 18, KNT: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Thursday launched an indefinite dharna at Jammu University against the latest hike in university fees, alleging that repeated increases have made higher education increasingly unaffordable for students.
Protesting students said the recurring fee revisions have placed a substantial financial burden on families and are discouraging many aspiring students from pursuing higher education.
Addressing protesters, ABVP leaders alleged that Jammu University has been increasing fees almost every year, with students claiming that the hike has often been around 10 percent annually.
They argued that government educational institutions were traditionally viewed as an accessible alternative to expensive private institutions, but alleged that public universities are now following a similar trajectory by imposing repeated fee increases.
“The continuous hike in fees is causing serious hardship to students. Government institutions were meant to provide affordable education, but they are increasingly resembling private institutions in terms of financial burden,” protesting students said.
The student body termed the latest increase an inequitable decision and demanded its immediate withdrawal. ABVP leaders maintained that the agitation would continue until the university administration reviews the decision and addresses the concerns raised by students.
Protesters also appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir administration and university authorities to initiate a dialogue with student representatives and evolve a mechanism that ensures higher education remains accessible to students from all economic backgrounds.
The ABVP said it would continue its indefinite dharna and intensify the agitation if the issue remains unresolved. [KNT]
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