INDEFINITE HUNGER STRIKE ENTERS SEVENTH DAY

INDEFINITE HUNGER STRIKE ENTERS SEVENTH DAY

10-AUG-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA----------------------------The indefinite hunger strike and massive sit-in protest organized by the 'All Ph.D. Holders & Research Scholars Association of Bihar' at the Gardanibagh protest site in Patna continued for the sixth day. Association conveners Kumud Patel, Abhishek Mehta, and Biku Singh Pradhan have been continuously observing the hunger strike.

Extending support to the agitators' demands, several prominent figures visited the Gardanibagh protest site today, including Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee President Rajesh Ram, Paliganj MLA Dr. Sandeep Saurabh, former MLA Ajit Kushwaha, former Youth Congress President Shivprakash Garib Das, AISHA State President and former JNU Students' Union President Dr. Dhananjay, Manisha Yadav, Dipankar Mishra, and MLC Shashi Yadav.

Addressing the gathering at the protest site, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee President Rajesh Ram stated that decisions concerning Bihar's higher education system must align with the Constitution, the UGC Act, and established regulations. Speakers emphasized that if new rules deviating from UGC-prescribed standards are introduced for appointments in universities and higher education, it would adversely affect the future of thousands of youths and research scholars in Bihar.

The agitators specifically demanded clarification and reconsideration from the government regarding the maximum age limit for Assistant Professor appointments. They argued that the rationale behind reducing the maximum age limit from the earlier 55 years to 43 years needs to be clearly explained. They also demanded that the recruitment process be conducted in accordance with the old university statutes. Ram added that he would immediately write to the Honorable Governor of Bihar urging the withdrawal of this arbitrary decree and would also apprise Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, of the entire situation. “This fight is not just about a few candidates; it is about the future of Bihar’s youth.”

Paliganj MLA Dr. Sandeep Saurabh stated that this struggle is not limited to a few researchers or candidates; rather, it concerns the future of Bihar’s youth, researchers, and the higher education system. The government must seriously consider the protesters' demands and immediately initiate a dialogue.

MLC Shashi Yadav remarked that university operations should align with UGC rules and standards. If critical decisions regarding higher education are made arbitrarily—ignoring established norms—it will directly harm the youth of Bihar and the higher education system itself.

On this occasion, hundreds of PhD holders and researchers—including Patliputra University Senate member Ajay Yadav, former State President of Chhatra JD(U) Radheshyam, Chandan Kumar Tiwari, Jyoti Kumar, Ratnesh Kumar, Bhim Yadav, Rajnish Yadav, Soni Sharma, and Dr. Preeti Kumari—addressed the gathering at the protest site and pledged their support to the movement.

Speakers noted that discontent among the youth regarding higher education and employment issues in Bihar is steadily rising. The government must listen seriously to the voices of the youth. It is a matter of concern if the government has failed to grasp the questions and signs of resentment among the youth, even after the Bankipur by-election results.

Leaders and social-educational activists supporting the movement appealed to Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Samrat Chaudhary and Higher Education Minister Shri Sanjay Tiger to immediately engage with the hunger strikers, consider their demands positively, and take concrete steps to end the fast-unto-death.

The speakers emphasized that this is a time for sensitivity and dialogue on the part of the government, not confrontation. Given the health condition of the protesters who have been on a fast-unto-death for six consecutive days, the government must intervene immediately.

They warned that if any serious untoward incident occurs regarding the health of the hunger strikers, the government would bear the moral and administrative responsibility. Before such a situation arises, the government should hold talks with the protesters and find a path to a resolution. Message from the protesters:

“Do not ignore the voice of the youth.

Save the future of higher education in Bihar.

Engage in dialogue and find a solution.”