NSUI Protests Fee Hike at Ahmedabad University: Workers Jump Gates, Push Registrar, University Provides Unconvincing Justification
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a strong protest at Ahmedabad University over the issue of fee hikes. The annual fee for courses such as B.Com and B.A. was set at ₹4.60 lakh, prompting a 24-hour ultimatum earlier.
Despite this, the demand was not accepted, leading NSUI workers to storm the university again today (August 5) and stage a demonstration. During the protest, workers surrounded the registrar, who had come to respond, and pushed him.
Subsequently, the police began detaining the protestors. For a while, the university campus resembled a battlefield. On the other hand, the university’s communication officer provided an unconvincing reason regarding the high fees.
Security Shuts Gates Amidst NSUI Protest Over Fee Hike
The security team shut the main gates at Ahmedabad University amidst ongoing protests by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) against a fee hike. While the annual fee for common courses like B.Com and B.A. at state government universities is around ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, Ahmedabad University has set it at ₹4.60 lakh for similar courses.
Five days ago, NSUI had given the university a 24-hour ultimatum to reduce the fees and also demanded that the government implement Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) regulations in private universities. As the ultimatum period ended, NSUI workers arrived at the university, only to find the main gates shut by security.
Registrar Pushed Amidst NSUI Protest at Ahmedabad University
As NSUI workers protested outside the closed gates of Ahmedabad University, security guards chained the gates to prevent them from entering. Despite this, the protesters jumped over the gates, leading to clashes with the security guards.
Eventually, NSUI workers broke the chains and entered the university, where they staged a sit-in protest. During this time, the registrar, who came to respond, was surrounded and pushed out of the university by the protestors. After forcing the registrar out, the protestors returned inside to continue their demonstration.
Police Detain Protestors Amidst NSUI Demonstration
Following the intense protest by NSUI workers, police vehicles arrived on the scene inside Ahmedabad University. The police began detaining the protestors en masse, swiftly bringing the situation under control within minutes. All the NSUI workers were taken into custody, effectively quelling the demonstration.
NSUI Plans to Encircle Education Minister in Gandhinagar: Vikramsinh Gohil
NSUI leader Vikramsinh Gohil stated that they had given an ultimatum four days ago. He questioned how students from poor and tribal communities could afford to study at the university.
Gohil announced that in the coming days, NSUI plans to encircle the Education Minister in Gandhinagar to further press their demands.
University Justifies High Fees with Infrastructure and Scholarships
In response to NSUI’s allegations, Ahmedabad University’s communication officer Ujjval Pratap defended the fee structure. He explained that the university provides world-class education and infrastructure for research.
He also highlighted that 20% of students receive scholarships and emphasized that the university operates without profit motives. According to Pratap, the fee hike is due to the university being a private center of excellence, and the fees cover all associated costs. Admissions are granted based solely on merit.
Annual Fees at Ahmedabad University
| Faculty | Fee (in lakhs) |
|---|---|
| B.A. | 4.6 |
| Bachelor of Science in Management | 4.6 |
| Bachelor of Commerce | 4.6 |
| Bachelor of Science | 4.6 |
| Bachelor of Technology | 3.5 |
| Dual DIGIR Program Integrated Arts | 4.6 |
