MUMBAI: Despite a police notice prohibiting assembly of five or more persons in the city, a section of MTech and PhD students from IIT-Bombay plans to begin a hunger strike from 11am on Saturday to protest against a fee increase. They say the police do not have jurisdiction within the campus.
On Friday, the institute reduced the hostel amenities fund of Rs 1,800 and allowed students to pay mess advance in two instalments. The institute is also looking at offering scholarships to students with financial difficulties. Students said the reduction of hostel amenities fund was just a re-allocation.
The students plan to start with a relay hunger strike on Saturday and move on to an indefinite strike in two to three days. The students also sought an increase in fellowship stipend and its linking to inflation rates.
An institute official said a few changes had been made based on student feedback but the fee increase could not be rolled back.
