Peaceful Protest By The Research Scholars of Rajiv Gandhi University

RONO HILLS: The research scholars of Rajiv Gandhi University Wednesday carried out a peaceful protest march here at its varsity campus demanding hike in their fellowships. The march was led by the Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars Forum (RGURSF) at the call of All India Research Scholars’ Association and researchers stepping towards indefinite hunger strike outside the MHRD office, New Delhi today for the same reasons.

The scholars are demanding a minimum 80% hike in all research fellowships (non-NET, JRF, RGNF, MANF et al) from 1st April 2018 onwards, timely disbursement of fellowships attempts to bring all research fellowships at par, reviewing system for auto increment annually and fellowship provision for an extended duration of PhD degree.

General Secretary RGURSF Kosen Jida while highlighting the demands of the protest said the increase in their scholarships has been halted since April 2018. The hike is supposed to happen, automatically, after every four years and even as the HRD minister’s assurance of fulfilling scholars’ demand last year on December 27, there is no development, Jida said.

NESO coordinator Pritam Waii Sonam and Research Scholars of NERIST also attended the peaceful march to extend them support.

Meanwhile, more than 2000 research scholars from across the country staged an indefinite hunger strike outside the office of MHRD, Shastri Bhawan in central Delhi today in support of their long-standing demand of increasing the scholarship amount.

The All India Research Scholars Association (AIRSA) and research fellows from across the country later moved to Jantar Mantar to continue their protest.

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