DU students irked by funds freeze

The Delhi government’s decision to freeze funds being provided to 28 Delhi University colleges has irked students and teachers.

While protesting on campus against the decision, the students under the banner of ABVP and DUSU also burnt an effigy of deputy chief minister and education minister Manish Sisodia at Arts Faculty, North Campus.

At the same time, DU teachers association (Duta) president Dr Nandita Narain wrote a letter to vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi demanding the formation of the Governing Body (GB) in all the colleges soon. She also wrote to Mr. Sisodia appealing him to withdraw the ordered decision and directly deal with Prof. Tyagi.

The AAP government on Monday ordered a freeze on funding of 28 DU colleges that are either fully or partially funded by it following the varsity’s failure to appoint governing bodies since months.

ABVP Delhi state secretary Bharat Khatana while addressing the students said that 75 percent of the students studying in these colleges are being affected due to this government decision.

“Along with the students, teachers and employees will also get affected. The Delhi government had announced during the election about opening two new colleges, which they have still not opened. And now they are preparing to stop grant of these colleges,” Mr Khatana said.

DUSU president Amit Tanwar said that this is just a symbolic demonstration and if this decision is not withdrawn then we will launch a bigger movement.

On the other hand, the National Democratic Teacher Front (NDTF) also organised a protest against this decision on campus. “The Delhi government has not only taken an anti-student but also an anti-teacher and anti-employee decision. This government’s decision is not at all justified” a NDTF member said.