Jamia students protest fee hike

The previous session saw a face-off between the administration and students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) regarding attendance. On Sunday, students were again seen protesting against the varsity. This time, however, the main issue was a probable fee hike.

Students from the All India Students Association (AISA) of Jamia protested in large numbers, holding placards and shouting anti-administration slogans at Jantar Mantar on Saturday afternoon. V-C Najeeb Jung, in his press statement, had said 80% attendance is mandatory for students to sit in the examinations. Student leaders however find this alarming. Sandeepan, a protesting AISA member said, "The situation has been made worse by his assertion that the relaxation of attendance on medical grounds will be reduced further."

The students also raised their voices against the probable 20% hike in the hostel and course fee. Students from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also participated, showing solidarity with the cause. The collective call of the students was to revoke the hike in fee and make the system of attendance transparent and student friendly.

Refuting the claims, Dr Simi Malhotra, lecturer and media co-coordinator, said, "As far as the issue of medical relaxation is concerned, it is still there. The minimum attendance was 75 per cent on which 15 per cent relaxation was given to students on medical grounds that has been curtailed to a 10 per cent.

Also, the important thing regarding attendance issues advised to the students is that they must report their medical conditions and produce a certificate for the same immediately after the leave and within a period of two weeks. I think it is fair.u00a0 About the said fee hike, authorities from the administration only can understand."