UoH hunger strike: AISA lists commitments, UHTA denies involvement in negotiations

The Ambedkar Students’ Association (AISA) HCU has listed a set of commitments it said were secured following a five-day indefinite hunger strike at the University of Hyderabad, including menstrual leave, attendance relaxation for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses, remedial classes, and support for the UoHSA fellowship.

However, the University of Hyderabad Teachers’ Association (UHTA) has denied any involvement in the hunger strike or discussions related to the students' demands, saying it was neither consulted nor part of negotiations with the students. In a press note dated August 28, the UHTA said certain reports and social media posts had "wrongly attributed" a role to the association in the student hunger strike and related negotiations.

The association "categorically denies any involvement in the organization, conduct, or resolution of the said strike," the press note said. It added that it was neither consulted nor involved in discussions with students regarding their demands. According to AISA HCU, the commitments following the protest include a proposal on menstrual leave and a 15 percent attendance relaxation for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

On menstrual leave, AISA had said the UHTA would take up a resolution at the Academic Council meeting in September with the Vice-Chancellor's endorsement. On attendance relaxation, the student organisation said a proposal for 15 percent relaxation would also be taken up by the Academic Council with the Vice-Chancellor's endorsement.

The UHTA, however, has disputed the attribution of any such role to the association, saying it had not participated in discussions with the students regarding their demands.

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Menstrual leave, attendance relaxation, remedial classes

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

AISA said the remedial classes would seek to address language barriers in higher education and prevent students from facing academic difficulties or dropping out because of their language background.

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

The student organisation also listed gender-sensitisation measures among the outcomes of the protest. These include five workshops during the current semester, improved outreach by the Internal Complaints Committee and school-wise workshops on menstrual awareness and hygiene, according to AISA. It would continue to monitor the implementation of the commitments within the stipulated timelines.

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Meanwhile, the UHTA condemned what it called the misrepresentation of its role, saying such references were misleading, could damage the credibility of the association and create confusion about the responsibilities of faculty bodies within the university.

The teachers' association said it remains committed to representing faculty interests, promoting academic excellence and supporting the university's mission.

(This story has been updated to include UHTA's press note)