He said that Many students in our region come from families already struggling to make ends meet. This fee hike exacerbates their financial stress and puts higher education out of reach for many deserving candidates,” said Khuehami. He emphasized that education should be a fundamental right accessible to all, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy.
The association has issued a fervent appeal to the university administration to address the students’ grievances promptly and said that the fee hike contradicts the principles of equitable access to education and could deter many capable students from pursuing their academic goals.
Meanwhile In addition to Opposing the fee hike, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association strongly condemned the forceful manhandling of students by security guards during a protest against fee hikes and the shortage of basic amenities. The Association National General Secretary Ummar Jamal said that this kind of response to peaceful protests is unacceptable and goes against the principles of democracy and free expression. Students have the right to voice their concerns and demand justice without fear of violence or repression.
The Association has called for an investigation into the incidents of mistreatment, demanding accountability and assurance that such actions will not be repeated. Authorities should step in to ensure that the voices of the students are heard and their grievances addressed.
Association further questioned the response of the authorities, said, “If a student democratically raises an issue in their university, why should it rattle the authorities? Institutions that teach democracy in classrooms should practice it themselves. This high-handedness is totally unacceptable.
The Association called for immediate investigation and action to prevent such incidents in the future and urged the university administration to foster a more inclusive and responsive environment for addressing student concerns. “Educational institutions should be a safe space for students to express their issues and seek redress without fear of retaliation. We demand accountability and a commitment to upholding democratic principles within the university, it added. (KDC)
