The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) continues to be embroiled in controversy, with the protest against the administration's decision to stop scholarships for reserved category students entering the second day
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
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The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) continues to be embroiled in controversy, with the protest against the administration's decision to stop scholarships for reserved category students entering the second day. Students of Delhi University extended their solidarity by issuing a letter. After an overnight protest, authorities called some of the students for a meeting on Thursday evening.
According to sources, since Wednesday night, the authorities have been forced to use the back-gate of the institute, as the protesting students have kept the main gate blocked. Even though the administration has stated fund crunch and delay in receiving grants from the government as the main reasons behind stopping the scholarships, students said it was their constitutional right.
Also read - Mumbai: TISS students protest cancellation of scholarships for reserved candidates
Shefali Saini, a protestor, said, "The authorities didn't meet us to discuss the issue. Even though we had blocked the main-gate, the back-gate was opened for the officials. Till Thursday evening there was no response. Though a meeting has been called, the matter is yet to be resolved."
Meanwhile, students from the TISS campuses in Hyderabad, Guwahati and Tuljapur boycotted their classes and stages dharnas to support the protest. Moreover, Shantanu Singh Gaur, general secretary, Department of Social Work Students' Union, Delhi University, issued a letter, which reads, "The Government of India has done huge fund cuts for TISS in the last three years, to increase the chances of the institute's privatisation. The total amount is nearly Rs 20 crore. The TISS administration has failed to provide an alternative to the students. We support their struggle."
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