The controversial four-year undergraduate programme has been the subject of almost every protest in Delhi University this past year. In fact it had united the Left and Right-affiliated organisations on campus with both carrying out protests on day one of admissions on Monday. Therefore, news reports stating that the new Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani wanted to revoke the programme and replace it with the university’s old three-year programme – was welcomed by everyone.
“This intervention is long overdue; the roll-back of the FYUP has been our demand and fight ever since it was introduced. We look forward to creating a university which moves ahead through debate and dialogue. This move will bring relief to lakhs of students and parents,” said Abha Dev Habib, university teacher and one of the organisers of the “Save DU Campaign,” one of the most vocal protest programmes against FYUP the whole of last year and even on admission days.
The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) which has been knocking on doors and carrying out protests, even sitting on a 50-day hunger strike against FYUP had also met Ms. Irani recently. “The DUTA appreciates the prompt initiative that the new HRD Minister has taken. The FYUP is a deeply unequal programme, designed to force students from economically weaker sections to discontinue their degree education in regular colleges,” said DUTA president Nandita Narain.
The All-India Students’ Association (AISA) had carried out intense protests throughout the year and at almost every university function. It had also carried out a referendum, in which overwhelming majority of the students were against the programme. “It is proved yet again that when students and teachers unite for a just cause victory is certain. AISA congratulates thousands of students who actively fought against FYUP in their colleges and joined the protests braving the intimidation of the college administration. Even in the last few weeks when majority of teachers and students are on summer vacation the movement has continued through continuous protest actions,” the association said.
The Right-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which won the Delhi University Students’ Union elections in 2013 mainly because of their stand on the FYUP will carry out a protest in front of the MHRD on Friday to ensure that the Ministry revoked the programme.
The Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, Dinesh Singh, could not be reached for his comments.
Published - June 06, 2014 10:51 am IST
