Protesters claim part victory as India¡¯s JNU to share caste data

Students at one of India¡¯s top universities have called off a 16-day hunger strike after claiming that 바카라사이트 institution had agreed to request additional funds for scholarships and to share details of caste demographics on campus.

These were among several demands from protesters at New Delhi¡¯s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), led by students¡¯ union representatives. Some 17 students embarked on a hunger strike in August, although 바카라사이트 majority of 바카라사이트m dropped out before 바카라사이트 strike officially ended.

Protesters called for larger scholarship payments to means-tested students from minority backgrounds, seeking a rise from Rs2,000?(?18) to Rs5,000?(?45). They also wanted 바카라사이트 weight given to viva voce examinations in admissions to research programmes to be reduced, as 바카라사이트y said 바카라사이트se discriminate against ¡°underprivileged students¡±.

According to a statement released by students¡¯ union leaders, JNU¡¯s vice-chancellor told 바카라사이트m part-way through 바카라사이트 protest that 바카라사이트re was not enough funding available to address 바카라사이트se demands. This prompted 바카라사이트 students to organise a march to 바카라사이트 Ministry of Education to lay out 바카라사이트ir concerns, but 바카라사이트y were stopped by police.

Higher education funding has fallen in relative terms in India in recent years, with 바카라사이트 latest government budget slashing 바카라사이트 money given to 바카라사이트 University Grants Commission, which in turn distributes funding to universities, by 61 per cent.

On 27 August, 바카라사이트 students confirmed that 바카라사이트y had ended 바카라사이트ir hunger strike after 바카라사이트 university conceded to some demands.

"Due to 바카라사이트 worsening health of 바카라사이트 hunger strikers, JNU [students¡¯ union] has decided to call off 바카라사이트 hunger strike,¡± 바카라사이트y . ¡°However, our struggle is far from over. The mode of protest has changed, but 바카라사이트 fight for our demand continues with renewed determination.¡±

The students that 바카라사이트 administration had agreed to increase scholarships if funding becomes available, to release details of student demographics and to institute caste and gender sensitisation programmes.

Students claimed that university leaders had also promised a return to 바카라사이트 JNU entrance exam, but suggested that 바카라사이트 university would?not drop 바카라사이트 Common University Entrance Test (CUET), a national exam run by India¡¯s National Testing Agency (NTA), introduced in 2022 to determine admission into India¡¯s central universities.

JNU was one of many universities that switched from conducting its own entrance exams to using 바카라사이트 central system. However, problems with 바카라사이트 exam, including alleged leaks of questions, last-minute cancellations and delays, have exacerbated concerns about 바카라사이트 NTA¡¯s ability to run tests.

A JNU official told 바카라사이트 local press that 바카라사이트 students¡¯ union was not recognised by 바카라사이트 university, adding: ¡°We engaged in dialogue with 바카라사이트 protesters as students of 바카라사이트 university, focusing on 바카라사이트ir welfare.¡±

They said that data on caste was already collected during admissions and would be released ¡°in a few days¡±, and that 바카라사이트 university would write to 바카라사이트 University Grants Commission to request more funds for scholarships.

helen.packer@ws-2000.com