Students’ ‘Chalo Assembly’ protest sparks clashes in Hyderabad

Protests by Students Federation of India and All India Students Federation near the Telangana Assembly led to detentions as activists demanded release of scholarships, fee dues, increased education budget and opposed NEP implementation amid clashes with police

Hyderabad: A series of protests rocked the Telangana Assembly, with student organisations – SFI and AISF – calling for ‘Chalo Assembly’ programme, with a host of demands, including release of fee reimbursement dues and scholarships to students, here on Wednesday.

As student activists tried to barge into the assembly, which is in session, police swung into action and prevented them. Scuffle ensued between the protesters and police as the latter detained and shifted them to various police stations in the city.

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The SFI Telangana unit demanded the government immediately release pending scholarships and fee reimbursement dues. It also demanded an increase of the budget for the education sector by at least 20 percent.

SFI state general secretary T Nagaraju said welfare residential schools and colleges that have been currently running in rented buildings must be provided with permanent buildings.

Objecting to the decision to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Nagaraju demanded the government immediately withdraw the policy and pass a resolution to prevent its implementation in the State.

Further, the protesters wanted recruitment to professors, assistant professors and assistant professors, and non-teaching staff vacancies in the State universities.

Release of Rs.218 crore outstanding dues under the best available scheme, pending bills for hostel students and setting up of conventional universities in Khammam and Adilabad district headquarters were other demands put forward by the SFI.

The All India Students Federation (AISF) student activists also staged a protest demanding the government enhance the budget for the education sector by 30 percent.