Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, Nov 19: Tensions flared at the Rajasthan University campus on Wednesday after police resorted to lathi-charge to break up student demonstrations over alleged discrepancies in exam results and the evaluation system.
The unrest followed the detention of eight students, including student leader Shubham Rewad, during a protest on Tuesday. Anger deepened when the university administration was accused of sharply increasing re-evaluation fees, which students say has imposed an unfair financial burden. Several alleged that they were deliberately failed by a margin of just one mark, compelling them to apply for re-evaluation and pay the inflated charges.
More detentions followed on Wednesday, with student leader Kamal Chaudhary among those taken into custody. The protesters staged a symbolic demonstration, some wearing garlands made of currency notes to highlight what they called “exploitative and excessive” fees linked to the not-promoted and re-evaluation processes.
Students claim that instead of engaging in dialogue, university officials responded with force. In a dramatic standoff, several female students climbed onto a police vehicle to prevent it from leaving, chanting slogans against the authorities.
The protest escalated near the administrative block and the Vice-Chancellor’s office, with a few students climbing onto the building’s roof as slogans grew louder. Police intervened to disperse the crowd, detaining several more participants.
Student leaders condemned the use of force, saying that voicing concerns about academic injustice was being treated as a criminal act. They accused the police of shielding the university administration rather than safeguarding students’ rights.
Protesters reiterated allegations that the university is charging exorbitant and unlawful fees for re-evaluating semester papers. Instead of addressing systemic issues, they said, officials attempted to silence peaceful dissent.
“What remains of our rights if even peaceful, democratic protest is treated as a threat?” asked one student, echoing the growing frustration across the campus.