A march to the Parliament called by the Delhi University Teachers’ Association and the FEDCUTA (Federation of Central Universities’ Teachers’ Associations) is seeing a vast sea of students, teachers and youth from various sections in Delhi.
The March was called against the recent decision of the UGC and MHRD of giving autonomy to educational institutions. May have alleged that this is a move towards further privatisation of public education and make it unaffordable for large sections of people.
The March began from Mandi House and moved towards the Parliament. It was attended by students from Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia MIllia Islamia and other educational institutions.
Apart from student activists, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia too joined the march supporting the protests. RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav expressed support on twitter.
The former JNU Vice President Shehla Rashid tweeted, “In developed countries such as the US, there’s a college or university in every nook and corner. That’s the strength of the US system. Free education till college and scholarships in higher education. Ministers’ children study in that system. Why not us?”
Another faculty member from JNU, Gazala Jameel said, “Central Delhi reverberating with slogans by Students, Teachers and University karamcharis as they unitedly #March4Education.”
Mohit Pandey highlighted the problem of privatisation of education in very simple words, “एकस्कूलमेंपढ़ानेकेलिएफ़ीस– कमसेकम1000
कालेज के लिए– 50000
Professional डिग्री– लाखों में
University- लाखों में!
कहाँ पढ़ेगा ग़रीब और आम इंसान!
#March4Education”
AISA leader, Kawalpreet Kaur said, “Autonomy will lead to fee hike and exclude thousands of students from marginalized communities out of accessing education. #March4Education today and stand in defence with DUTA!”
JNUSU President Geeta Kumari@GeetaJnu in solidarity with DUTA &FEDCUTA said, “students, teachers and youth of this country are the opposition to Modi government and we will unitedly defeat this anti-poor and anti-marginalised community Modi government.” #March4Education
It is estimated that as many as 10000 students came on the streets today. The march also raised issues of sexual harassment on campuses, fulfilling constitutionally mandated reservations and ending corruption in academic institutions.