Young Sanskrit scholars protest against discrimination in Delhi University

New Delhi, Dec. 20 : A group of Sanskrit scholars are holding a sit-in protest against the Delhi University authorities in the north campus near Gwyer''s Hall to highlight, what they allege, discriminatory policies of the university.

Some of these students hold Master of Philosophy (M. Phil) degrees. They are agitated, as they are not being allowed to pursue Ph. D from Delhi University due to what they say "obsolete rules which give the concerned departments the right to act as per their discretion".

The protestors also include those who want 100 per cent fellowship for Ph. D students as per University Grants Commission (UGC) norms on lines similar to those available to students pursuing Ph. D degrees at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (J. N. U) in South Campus of Delhi.

Students have formed Sanskrit Shastra-Raksharth Sangarsh Samiti, a group fighting for the cause of Sanskrit students in Delhi University. They are conducting round the clock protest despite the chill in the Delhi ridge area.

"We are protesting against the discrimination and injustice prevailing in Delhi University. First, we want all students holding M. Phil degrees from Delhi University to get admission in Ph. D in the same university. Second, we want all students pursuing higher degrees like M. Phil and Ph. D to get 100 per cent fellowship under University Grants Commission (U. G. C) rules like those available to the Jawaharlal Nehru University students. Third, the number of seats allocated to pursue M. Phil should be according the number of students pursuing Master of Arts degrees. Presently, only 25 seats are available per department for M. Phil and only 25 per cent fellowships are given at the Delhi University," said Rajeev Ranjan, a Ph. D student.

"The number of seats is presently decided by rules and regulations of 1963 when there used to be just eight colleges here. The number of students has increased manifold and thus the old rules need a revisit in context of students'' need at present time," said Rajeev Ranjan.

"We seek justice and end to discrimination. If admissions and fellowships are allowed in other universities including the reputed JNU, why are we deprived of such options and facilities required to pursue higher studies in Sanskrit. We will to carry on our indefinite protest despite this chill of winter at the campus," said Divya Sharma, a Ph. D student seeking fellowship and a Delhi resident.

"We have been asked to give up day-dreaming about changing the existing scheme of things. We were ousted from offices and not allowed to protest outside the Vice Chancellor''s office gate on Thursday. The same people who taught us are today asking for our I-cards for identification of being university students. But we will protest at any cost even if they are treating us as outsiders," said Kiran Singh, an M. Phil student and Delhi resident.

Students have threatened to go on relay-hunger strike from Tuesday, if their demands are not acted upon by the Delhi University authorities. The protesters do not want support from any political outfit. (ANI)

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