Students at Patna University intensified their protest on Thursday, with demonstrators under the banner of the All India Students Federation (AISF) entering different university offices, disrupting work and asking employees to close the offices. Lights were also switched off at several places, affecting work on the campus for some time and creating tension between students and the administration.
Students have been protesting for several days over various demands. They had earlier started an indefinite hunger strike outside the Senate Hall and, on the fourth day of the agitation, attempted to shut down the university. Student leaders had previously warned that the protest would be expanded if their demands were not addressed soon.
The students have accused the university administration of not engaging in dialogue with them. The protesters said they had been raising their problems and demands with the administration for a long time but had not received satisfactory responses. They said this had led them to take the path of agitation. Some students observing the hunger strike were also reported to have experienced deteriorating health, following which the university administration's medical team conducted health checks.
One of AISF's key demands is an impartial investigation into questions raised over Patna University's LLB entrance examination and, if necessary, cancellation of the examination followed by a fresh examination conducted transparently. Student leaders have alleged that the question paper began circulating in various WhatsApp groups shortly after the examination started. They said that if the question paper had reached outside the examination system before the examination or immediately after it began, the matter should be investigated impartially and further action should be taken transparently in the interests of all candidates. Student leaders have also claimed that the university administration acknowledged that the question paper had been leaked, although differences remain between the two sides over the demand for a re-examination.
The students' second major demand is the withdrawal of increased fees for postgraduate courses. The protesters said repeated fee increases were placing an additional burden on students from financially weaker and ordinary families. They argued that instead of making higher education more accessible, increased fees could create difficulties for some students in continuing their studies. People associated with the university employees' organisation have also expressed concern over the fee increase, saying it could affect poor students.
AISF has also demanded the introduction of MFA studies at Patna University. The organisation said starting the course was necessary for students associated with the programme. Another demand is that the central library be kept open 24 hours a day, or 24×7. Students said longer library hours would be useful for those preparing for competitive examinations and pursuing higher education.
The student organisation has also demanded protection of democratic rights on the university campus. Protest leaders have alleged that students' voices are not being given adequate importance. They said students should have the right to raise their problems peacefully and engage in dialogue with the administration. On this issue, AISF leaders have questioned the approach of the Vice-Chancellor and the university administration. Some student leaders have also demanded the immediate removal of the Vice-Chancellor.
The hunger strike began on Monday. Three student leaders, Bittu Bhardwaj, Prince Raj and Kishlay, were garlanded at the Patna University Senate Hall to mark the beginning of the agitation. The organisation had stated that the indefinite hunger strike would continue until concrete action was taken on the students' demands. The agitation has also received support from various student leaders and some other people.
The hunger strike continued into its second day on Tuesday. During the protest, some students observing the fast were reported to have experienced health problems. The university administration's medical team reached the spot and examined their health. Despite this, student leaders refused to end the agitation, saying assurances alone would not bring the protest to an end and that written or concrete action on the demands was necessary.
On the fourth day, the students' attempt to shut down the university and stop work in offices further escalated the dispute. The protesters entered offices and asked employees to stop working. Lights were also reportedly switched off at several places. The protesters said their objective was to put pressure on the university administration to take an early decision on their demands.
The agitation is taking place at a time when the Patna University campus has already been in the news over incidents involving tension. On September 5, a crude bomb was thrown on the premises of the university's Geography Department. No injuries were reported, but police registered a first information report against unidentified persons and began an investigation. Police were working to identify those responsible with the help of CCTV cameras installed nearby. The university administration had also said that security would be tightened.
The ongoing student protest has added to the challenges before the university administration. The students' demands cover issues related to the examination, fees, courses, the library and democratic rights, while the administration is responsible for maintaining normal academic and administrative functioning at the university.
Student leaders have said the hunger strike will continue until their demands are met. The university administration has not yet made the final status of a resolution to the students' demands clear.
