Hunger Strike at Jamia Hamdard

A five day Hunger strike was joined today by Rajya Sabha member D. Raja at Gate no. 3 of Hamdard University,New Delhi. Students are protesting primarily against the heavy fines laid down by the university authorities on the students who were involved in the earlier protest against University’s decision to shut down the UG and PG boy’s hostel and transform it into a girl’s hostel.

In a three hour long meeting with the Registrar and Asst. Registrar, it was decided that they will be giving their final verdict on Monday as the Vice Chancellor was not available today. They have asked for the apology of the boys involved in the earlier protest.

The matter made waves when an abrupt decision was taken by the authorities to change the Boy’s hostel into Girl’s hostel which was received by utmost angst by those who were residing there. The matter took an ugly turn after the students while protesting went violent and damaged college property. Police was called and some of the students were taken into custody and held for the night. Later the students were released and after going through the CCTV footage and investigation 32 names came up who are now being charged hefty fines of as much as up to 40 thousand rupees. Their mark sheets are being held until they pay up.

The protest is going on since 5 days and students are now demanding numerous things rather than just the fine cancellation and putting the future of students at stake. The demands include student union elections, proper hospital facilities for students, corruption at the authoritarian level, free WiFi in campus, delays in internships, availability of drinking water, among others.

Today’s protest was accompanied by the students of Jamia Millia Islamia as well. Students are much agitated but are very much trying to keep it a peaceful protest. The party HSDF- Hamdard Student Democratic Forum is leading the charge of the protest from the front. The final verdict would come out on 7th October when the Vice Chancellor of university will be available.

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