Though the UGC has assured the agitating students of reviewing the decision of scrapping the non-NET fellowship, protesters from universities across Delhi have decided to continue with their agitation.
Hundreds of students from Delhi University, JNU, Ambedkar University, were camping outside the office of University Grants Commission (UGC) since Wednesday, demanding revoking of the decision. On Friday, 100 of the protesters were detained by police and released later in the evening.
Meanwhile, UGC officials met a delegation of students and assured them of reviewing the decision.
“We will not end the protest till the time our demand is met. The Government is now trying to give it another angle by saying it is mulling awarding these fellowships on merit and equity basis. Fellowships are means of survival for researchers. We demand the decision to be revoked,” said Sucheta De, one of the protesters.
The fellowship, which is provided to those undertaking research in Central universities, was scrapped by the UGC in its last meeting. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs5,000 and Rs8,000 per monthwas provided to students pursuing M.Phil and Ph.D respectively.