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IIT-G protest over fee hike ends for now

IIT-G protest over fee hike ends for now

Time of India5 days ago
Guwahati: The weeklong protest by PhD scholars and postgraduate students at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) over a fee hike has ended temporarily. Faced with the ultimatum from the institute's authorities, many students have paid the increased fees for the July-Nov semester, effectively withdrawing their protest.
The administration had earlier issued a stern warning, stating that students who failed to pay by Tuesday would no longer be considered part of the institute. This prompted a rush to comply, with students reluctantly settling the revised fees. "We had no choice after receiving the email threatening our studentship," said one protester. Despite the end of the protest, the fee hike remains in place, with no rollback decision announced.
However, IIT-G has assured students that their grievances will be 'judged fairly."
The director, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, has urged faculty supervisors to dissuade students from engaging in activities that could disrupt the academic environment.
The fee increase, which saw PhD students' costs rise by Rs 10,900, has been justified by the institute as necessary for enhanced student welfare and activities. As the situation develops, students await further communication from the administration regarding their demands.
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