Patna: A Senate meeting at Patna University witnessed heavy protests on Saturday as students affiliated with the All India Students’ Association staged a demonstration over fee hikes, alleged police action on campus and demands for a separate student welfare budget.
The protest continued for nearly three hours, leading to tense scenes across the university campus.
According to students, they had sought a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor to discuss their concerns. However, they alleged that instead of initiating dialogue, the administration called in police personnel and locked the university gates.
Students Break Locks After Being Removed
As the protest intensified, police personnel removed the students from the campus premises and locked the main gate. Protesters then climbed onto the gates and raised slogans against the administration and police action.
Slogans including “Stop Police Repression” and “PU Belongs to Us” were raised during the agitation.
The situation escalated further when protesters broke the locks on the gate and re-entered the campus. The students then marched towards Jai Prakash Narayan Hall, where the Senate meeting was underway.
A large police force was deployed outside the venue, preventing the protesters from entering the hall.
Sit-In and Hunger Strike Announcement
Unable to enter the auditorium, the students staged a sit-in protest outside the hall and announced a hunger strike in support of their demands.
The protesters accused the university administration of repeatedly increasing fees while failing to provide adequate facilities and welfare measures for students.
Among their primary demands was the inclusion of a separate allocation for student welfare in the university’s Senate budget. They also demanded an immediate halt to fee hikes.
Students additionally questioned the continued presence of police personnel on the university campus. Some protesters alleged that police officials enter the campus late at night and intimidate students.
Protest Ends After Talks with Officials
Following the conclusion of the Senate meeting, the university’s Proctor and Dean held discussions with the protesting students.
According to students, the officials listened to their demands and assured them that efforts would be made to address the issues raised during the protest.
The agitation ended after the administration persuaded the students to withdraw the sit-in, with refreshments being distributed to those participating in the demonstration.
