Ganderbal: A day after students at the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) held a protest at the Tulmulla campus on Tuesday against the recent fee hike for several courses by the university administration, as well as the inadequate infrastructure and facilities, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA)opposed the hike and condemned manhandling of protesting students.
The students had voiced their frustration over the arbitrary fee increases, which have created financial burdens and confusion due to inconsistent fee structures for the same courses.
In a statement, national convener of JKSA Nasir Khuehami stressed upon the adverse impact of the fee hike on students who are already struggling financially.
“Many students in our region come from families already struggling to make ends meet. This fee hike exacerbates their financial stress and puts higher education out of reach for many deserving candidates,” said Khuehami. He emphasised that education should be a fundamental right accessible to all, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy.
The association has issued a fervent appeal to the university administration to address the students’ grievances promptly and said that the fee hike contradicts the principles of equitable access to education and could deter many capable students from pursuing their academic goals.
JKSA has also condemned the forceful manhandling of students by security guards. National general secretary of the association Ummar Jamal said that this kind of response to peaceful protests is unacceptable and goes against the principles of democracy and free expression. Students have the right to voice their concerns and demand justice without fear of violence or repression.
The association has called for an investigation into the incidents of mistreatment, demanding accountability and assurance that such actions will not be repeated. Authorities should step in to ensure that the voices of the students are heard and their grievances addressed.
Association further questioned the response of the authorities, said, “If a student democratically raises an issue in their university, why should it rattle the authorities? Institutions that teach democracy in classrooms should practice it themselves. This high-handedness is totally unacceptable.
The association called for immediate investigation and action to prevent such incidents in the future and urged the university administration to foster a more inclusive and responsive environment for addressing student concerns.
“Educational institutions should be a safe space for students to express their issues and seek redress without fear of retaliation. We demand accountability and a commitment to upholding democratic principles within the university, it added.
