IIT Bombay students suspend hunger strike as fee hike partially rolled back

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay students suspended their hunger strike as the IIT Bombay administration partially rolled back the fee hike. According to a tweet from the students, almost all their demands were considered, and the students thanked everyone who stood in solidarity with the struggle. The protest by the IITB students spanned over one month.

"Victory!!! Administration bows down to students' persistent struggle over one month. Almost all our demands were considered and the fee hike was partially rolled back. We finally are suspending our hunger strike. We thank everyone who stood in solidarity with our struggle," said a tweet from the "IIT Bombay Students Against Fee Hike" Twitter account.

Victory!!! Administration bows down to students persistent struggle over one month. Almost all our demands were considered and the fee hike was partially rolled back. We finally are suspending our hunger strike. We thank everyone who stood in solidarity with our struggle. pic.twitter.com/SHyQIBL6gH

— IIT Bombay Students Against Fee Hike (@iitbfeehike) August 12, 2022

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IIT Bombay students started the second phase of the struggle against the fee hike on July 28 with a relay hunger strike. The demands by the students were to revoke the recent fee hike, to revoke the Board of Governors resolution that recommended five percent annual hike in the fees, and to include student representatives in the standing committee for student fee matters.

According to the students, the institute's administration agreed to reduce the HAF amount of Rs 1800 from the SMA and provided the option of paying the SMA in two instalments. IIT Bombay also extended the deadline for paying the fees to August 31.

Students decided to accept the proposal presented by the administration as the IIT Bombay administration has agreed at the fee committee meeting to reconsider the BoG circular about the five percent annual fee hike and to keep the other promises by August 19. Students also said that if these conditions are not fulfilled by the above-mentioned date, they will intensify the struggle.