The students of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) demonstrated near the Human Resource Development Ministry against the TISS administration’s decision of withdrawing financial aid to students from marginalised communities.
The students and alumni held a protest on Monday near the HRD Ministry concerning TISS administrations decision of demanding tuition, dining hall and hostel fees from SC/ST scholars. The students of all the campuses of the institute have been protesting since 21 February.
Protesting students along with their counterparts in Delhi colleges and universities demanded not to burden the students through fee hike and fund cuts.
“We appeal to you to immediately roll back withdrawal of Centre’s Post Matric Scholarship (GOI-PMS) in TISS and reinstate all financial assistance that was earlier available,” a memorandum that the students intended to submit to Union MHRD Minister Prakash Javdekar said.
As per media reports, TISS Students Union President Archana Soreng had said, “All talks and mediation with the administration over past many months have failed.
Earlier on Monday, after failed attempts of mediation between the TISS administrations and protesting students, the administration issued a notice asking students to call off the protest and remove their blockade from the main gate of the institute. The notice has also warned the students of action by the administration if students fail to adhere to the guidelines.
As per media reports, the campus is home to hostels, dining halls, day-cares as well as residences of faculty and officials. Since the main gate is blocked, people are forced to use the rear exit. However, the student union said that they will continue their protest until all their demands are fulfilled.