Guwahati: Tensions escalated on Thursday between the authorities at IIT Guwahati and PhD students as the latter commenced a boycott of their research activities in response to a recent fee hike. The administration announced the increase, citing the necessity to fund student welfare initiatives, marking the first fee adjustment in seven years. While officials reported that the fee for continuing students is now Rs 8,900 per semester, students contend that the actual increase nears Rs 11,000. The deadlock persists as both parties refuse to budge from their stances.
Students participating in the protest affixed posters on the doors of their department labs, declaring a halt to all teaching assistant responsibilities, lab work, and academic tasks on that day. Although the students labeled the fee hike as unjust, exceptions were granted for only urgent academic responsibilities, as detailed in a notice from the protesters. “Let’s raise our collective voice. Your non-cooperation is your protest,” read the bottom line of the posters.
Despite no confirmed discussions with the authorities on Thursday, protesting PhD and some PG students held a march on campus seeking a written commitment from the administration to address their demands. The students expressed shock at what they described as blatant disregard for their voices — a sentiment echoed by over 300 individuals who have raised concerns over an extended period. Their statement illuminated a growing dissatisfaction with the administration’s silence, stating that students were left with no choice but to unite and make their grievances known. This outcry underscores a troubling reality unfolding at IIT Guwahati.
The protests began on Tuesday, coinciding with the semester registration date for the July-November period for PhD students. Many students refused to pay the increased fees, hindering their ability to register for the semester, which ignited the protests. While IIT Guwahati officials claimed that only a few students were engaging in the protests, students asserted that more than 870 PhD scholars have been involved. Reports indicate that approximately 300 PhD and PG students marched from the administrative building to one of the campus entry gates.
“This is not merely a protest. It is a demand for dignity, accountability, and respect,” the students emphasized in their media statement. As the protest continues to unfold, the focus remains on the unresolved fee dispute and the relationship between students and administration at IIT Guwahati.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/phd-students-boycott-academic-work-at-iit-g-against-fee-hike/articleshow/122888360.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-07-25 02:43:00
