The University of Kashmir, located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, has been closed for the past two days due to student protests, as a result of which all academic activities have been suspended.
A large number of students have staged a sit-in in support of their demands, raising strong slogans against the university administration.
The students say that they have presented a 20-point charter of demands to the university administration, but no seriousness or progress has been seen so far. According to the protesters, if the demands are not accepted, the scope of the protest will be further expanded.
The students’ charter of demands includes several basic and administrative issues, the salient points of which are as follows:
A new deadline for fee relief and submission should be fixed
Exams should also be conducted online for students affected by online classes
Students should be given freedom in course offer and selection
Summer semester should be allowed and fees should be reduced to Rs. 5,000
Establishment of anti-harassment cell and the harassment of students should be stopped
Rehabilitation of dropout students and special chances should be provided
A fixed timeline should be given for the release of results
Administrative irregularities and behaviors in various departments should be corrected
Transport, hostel and internet facilities should be improved
Additional and “miscellaneous” charges should be abolished
Online education and internet issues
The students maintain that due to the country’s circumstances, half of the semester consisted of online classes, however, due to poor internet facilities, a large number of students were deprived of classes. On this basis, students are also demanding to take exams online.
It should be remembered that the University of Kashmir has been under repeated protests for the past one year due to student problems. In view of the current situation, the district administration has imposed Section 144 within the university premises, while additional police personnel have also been deployed.
According to analysts, if the negotiations between the university administration and the students are not successful, the educational crisis may become more serious, which is likely to affect the future of thousands of students.
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