Protests Erupt at HPU Ahead of Executive Council Meeting
Students' organisations Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Students Federation of India (SFI) on Saturday staged separate protests at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla, demanding action on key student issues including the restoration of Students' Council Elections (SCA), rollback of increased fees, better transport facilities, and recruitment of non-teaching staff. The demonstrations took place just before the university's Executive Council (EC) meeting.
Minor Scuffle as ABVP Burns VC Effigy
During the ABVP protest, activists attempted to burn an effigy of the Vice-Chancellor and carried out a symbolic funeral procession to express their anger. This led to a minor scuffle with police personnel who tried to remove the activists from the protest site. No injuries were reported in the incident.
ABVP Demands Rollback of Fee Hike and Improved Services
Addressing the protest, ABVP campus president Akshay Thakur said that despite students facing many problems, the university administration continues to remain indifferent. "Despite repeated memorandums and verbal assurances, no concrete action has been taken by the university. Due to the lack of buses, students from far-flung areas have to face difficulties reaching the university, while the recent fee hike has put an additional financial burden on the students, especially those who belong to economically weaker families," he said. Thakur warned of intensifying the movement if university authorities fail to take concrete steps.
SFI Submits Memorandum to EC Members
SFI also raised demands including restoration of SCA elections, withdrawal of the fee hike, construction of new hostels, allotment of teaching work to regular teachers, and a judicial inquiry into teacher recruitments and financial matters. A delegation of SFI submitted a memorandum to EC members, urging immediate fulfillment of their demands.
SFI Campus Secretary Mukesh accused the university authorities of continuing to ignore student concerns. "Students are being burdened with hiked fees, while the university is incurring unnecessary expenditures instead of ensuring financial discipline and transparency," he said. Mukesh added that the organisation has previously submitted several memorandums, but no concrete action has been taken. He warned that SFI will launch a mass movement if the EC fails to meet their demands.
