The Trinamul Chhatra Parishad (TCP) has called an indefinite strike at Visvabharati University following the sudden hike in tuition fees. Varsity officials held a high-level meeting on Friday to review the fee structure. The TCP members staged a protest in front of the varsity’s central office demanding withdrawal of the fee hike. “The
authorities did not discuss the hike with us prior to its implementation. This arbitrary hike will hit the students hard,” Visvabharati unit secretary of TCP, Chinmoy Hazra said.
Apart from the students, a section of the Visvabharati Karmi Sabha (employees’ association) is also supporting the students’ strike.
The varsity authorities decided to increase the student’s fees following a massive fund curtailment by the University Grant Commission (UGC). Following the hike, the day scholars would have to pay Rs 100 to 120 per month instead of Rs 18 to Rs 20 per month, while the residential students have to pay more than Rs 3,000 in place of Rs 600 per month.