UoH hunger strike: AISA says protest secures menstrual leave, attendance relaxation, remedial classes

The Ambedkar Students’ Association (AISA) HCU has announced a set of commitments it said were secured after a five-day indefinite hunger strike demanding a more inclusive and socially just campus at the University of Hyderabad. According to AISA HCU, the commitments cover menstrual leave, attendance relaxation for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses, course-orientated remedial classes, financial support for the UoHSA fellowship and gender sensitisation.

On menstrual leave, the University of Hyderabad Teachers’ Association will take up a resolution at the Academic Council meeting in September, with the Vice-Chancellor’s endorsement, to introduce the provision, the student organisation said. A proposal for 15 percent attendance relaxation for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses will also be taken up by the Academic Council with the Vice-Chancellor’s endorsement, according to AISA HCU.

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Remedial classes

The university will also introduce discipline-oriented, subject-specific remedial classes from the second week of September, the organisation said. These classes will initially begin in the Schools of Social Sciences and Humanities and will subsequently be extended to the Centre for Integrated Studies.

AISA said the remedial classes are aimed at addressing language barriers in higher education and ensuring that students do not face academic difficulties or drop out because of their language background.

On the UoHSA fellowship, AISA said a committee will be constituted within 10 days to examine resources that can be redirected towards the fellowship. The university will also write to the University Grants Commission seeking greater financial assistance, it said.

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The organisation also announced commitments related to gender sensitisation. Five workshops are planned during the current semester, while the Internal Complaints Committee has committed to improving outreach.

School-wise workshops focusing on menstrual awareness and hygiene will also be organised, according to AISA. The student organisation described these measures as gains achieved through collective struggle and said it would continue to remain vigilant to ensure that the commitments are implemented within the stipulated timelines.

“However, our struggle does not end here,” AISA HCU said, adding that it would continue to monitor the implementation of the commitments. The organisation framed the developments as part of its broader campaign for an inclusive University of Hyderabad and called for continued student unity and the struggle for an inclusive university.