In his letter, the national convenor of the association, Nasir Khouhmi said that AMU students are protesting against the increase in standing since August 4, with some courses fees to be 30–40 percent increase. For example, the B.LIB course fee has increased from ₹ 16,000 to more than ₹ 22,000 last year. Citing a video statement by AMU Proctor Wasim Ali, the letter noted the administration’s claim that the fees for various courses to improve infrastructure and between 500 and 1,500 had increased and the decision was collectively taken by various committees. However, the association stated that this explanation does not reduce the crushed burden “on socially backward classes, working class families and economically weaker sections”, which “are already struggling to meet their daily expenses, including basic food.”
Hike was “sudden and vertically” and implemented “without prior notice”, he warned that it could “push thousands of higher education” and alleged that students were also facing custody, suspension and harassment. “Amu is distinguished to be cheaper than long marginalized backgrounds, now being accused of abandoning that legacy,” said this.
The association “firmly and unevenly” condemned the alleged use of the force by the police against peaceful protesters on August 8, stating that students, including those returning from Friday’s prayers, were “attacked, lathi-charged, dragged on the ground, and instigated.” This described the eviction of students from the historic Bab-e-Sid Gate as a “voice and symbolic place of the student’s voice and democratic spirit” and violated the constitutional right for “deeply retrograde” and peaceful opposition.
It said that, the absence of a student union since 2019 has created a dangerous vacuum, which deprives students of a legitimate and elected platform to give voice to their grievances and engage in creative dialogue with the administration. This deficiency of representation has prepared the authorities to implement opposing student policies without transparency, accountability or consultation. It states that, students are raising their voices not only against unfair fee increase, but also lack of attendance, arbitrary suspension to speak, and also described as dictatorship of the proctorial office.
Pointing as “disappointing” hostel situations such as severe congested rooms, poor hygiene, and lack of hygiene, the association alleged that the fee increases a comprehensive agenda to increase the fee increase and poor living standard “to commercialize education and education,” the mission of providing cheap quality education to the missions of Amu, “reflects a wide agenda to be marginalized.”
Recalling the vision of AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Khoomi described the university as “a beacon of hop” and described the “a beacon” for nationwide students for millions of Muslim and disadvantaged students. The privatization agenda seems to appear, “The association said,” the administration has failed to maintain a basic standard of living in hostels “hugely”.
The association said that at a time when inclusive and equitable education is important, such policies go against the recommendations of the Sachar Committee report for more and more state support, inclusion and opportunity for Muslim youth in higher education, “It’s not to put them more margins.”
In a joint statement, Irfan Bashir, the national spokesperson of the association, Zubair Reshhi, and the state president of Uttar Pradesh, in a joint statement, urged the Union Education Minister to “immediately refund the fee, restore the students’ union without delay, to engage in open and transparent dialogues with the student body and improve the conditions of hosting.” He further demanded protecting the students’ democratic rights, the end of the “oppression and targeting” of the protesters, and the refund of all punitive works against them.
“AMU students are protesting for the restoration of their rights, their dignity, and democracy in the campus. Their struggle is not just a local fight; it is a symbol of a comprehensive fight to protect the integrity of public education in India, secure the culture of debate, dissatisfaction and representation in all universities.
