SPPU protest paused after written assurance on mess fee hike

Students protesting a mess fee increase at Savitribai Phule Pune University have temporarily suspended their four-day sit-in after receiving a written assurance from Vice-Chancellor Suresh Gosavi that the issue would be considered by the university’s Management Council on September 26. The assurance was given during a third round of talks between the Vice-Chancellor and a delegation of the Students’ Federation of India on Thursday, September 24, according to the organisation. The protest had been continuing on the university campus against the increase in mess charges.

SFI said Mr. Gosavi assured its delegation in writing that the circular announcing the fee hike would be placed before the Management Council for cancellation. The council’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

on September 26. The Vice-Chancellor also told the delegation that the university’s decision on withdrawing the increase would be communicated to students in writing by 4 p.m., SFI said. The organisation agreed to suspend the sit-in temporarily at his request.

SFI has said that its next step will depend on the outcome of the Management Council meeting. Students are scheduled to assemble at the university’s main gate at 4 p.m. on September 26, regardless of the decision.

If the fee-hike circular is not withdrawn, SFI said it will proceed with a planned “thali march”. If the university issues a written circular cancelling the increase, the march will instead be replaced by a gathering to mark what the organisation described as the success of the agitation. The organisation has warned that the protest could resume if the university does not formally withdraw the hike.