Students in large number protested against after IIT Kharagpur hiked its fee. The students staged a demonstration inside the campus. They were so agitated that they planned to gherao the authorities till the fee hike decision was withdrawn.
The students sat on a hunger strike, gheraoed the director, registrar and dean of the institution overnight and even warned that if their demands are not met, they would conduct a larger strike.
A DNA report said, the students have been protesting ever since they were informed of a 20 per cent hike in hostel fees even before the GST comes into place. They now fear that the new fee structure would increase the financial burden on them.
The new fee structure would be applicable for new as well as current students. No action has been taken yet by the institution's authorities and they have refused to speak to the media.
The students closed the main gate due to which teachers, research scholars and others could not enter the institution.
"At the time of the admission, we were not informed of any hostel fees hike. This sudden hike comes in the middle of the semester. The PhD scholars receive a small sum as stipend. From the stipend, the scholar has to send some amount at home and rest is given as hostel fees and food expenses. Without any increase in the stipend, it is difficult for the scholar to manage the hostel fees hike," said a protesting student.
