Non-NET fellowships: Students march to Smriti Irani’s office

After picketing at the University Grants Commission for over 15 days regarding non-NET fellowship, students accompanied by Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav on Thursday marched to the doorsteps of HRD minister Smriti Irani who literally reached out to them in full media glare outside her office, but failed to address their concerns despite reiterating that the ministry would not scrap the fellowship.

Student leaders vowed to continue their sit-in at the UGC and escalate the movement to other parts of India.Protests started after the UGC had announced to scrap non-NET fellowship on October 7. Later, the ministry for human resources development revoked the UGC decision and set up a review panel to assess the feasibility of NET and non-NET benefits for researchers. Students want an increase in research stipend from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 for M.Phil students and Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 for Ph.D scholars and expansion of non-NET fellowship to state universities. In addition, they also demand that a review committee, which was formed by the HRD ministry, should not consider “economic” and “merit” criteria for the allocation.

While meeting a students’ delegation for a brief 10-minute interaction, Ms Irani assured an increase in fellowship and inclusion of state universities. On merit and economic considerations, she explained to the delegation that students who were socially and economically backward would benefit from these clauses.

She also promised that student representatives would be allowed to put forth their viewpoints in the review committee meeting.

She also invited the delegation to discuss the issue in a day or two. JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, who led the delegation, took potshots at Ms Irani’s assurances, “I have not received Rs 15 lakh in my bank account,” referring to the BJP’s poll plank during the Lok Sabha elections that each Indian will receive Rs 15 lakh after getting blackmoney back. Aisa’s vice-president Shehla alleged that the review committee was political motivated.