RANCHI, JHARKHAND – The All India Students’ Association (AISA) will stage a protest march to the new Jharkhand Assembly building on Friday. Students plan to gather at Birsa Munda Chowk in Ranchi. The demonstration targets significant issues: delayed scholarship payments, a 25 percent hike in Class 10 and 12 exam fees, and new mandatory Permanent Education Number (PEN) requirements.
Protest Announcement and Organizers
AISA Jharkhand leaders announced the march on Thursday during a press conference in Ranchi. Key speakers included AISA Jharkhand secretary Triloki Nath, Ranchi district secretary Sanjana Mehta, and district president Vijay Kumar. They called for widespread student participation across the state.
Impact of Scholarship Delays
Scholarship amounts intended for the 2024-25 academic session have not yet been released. AISA secretary Triloki Nath stated this failure impacts lakhs of students across Jharkhand. These students rely on the scholarships for essential educational and living expenses. Nath explained that many students are now struggling financially. They face difficulties paying tuition fees, accommodation rent, and daily living costs. This financial distress, according to Nath, is pushing numerous students “to the brink of dropping out of studies.”
Concerns Over Exam Fee Hike and PEN
The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) implemented a 25 percent increase in examination fees for both matriculation (Class 10) and intermediate (Class 12) board exams. Alongside this, the council introduced a new requirement: a mandatory Permanent Education Number (PEN) for all students. Sanjana Mehta, AISA Ranchi district secretary, alleged that these new measures create substantial barriers. She claimed the fee hike and PEN requirement specifically exclude a large number of economically weaker students. These students struggle to complete the necessary exam registration procedures due to the increased costs and administrative hurdles.
AISA’s Demands and Future Action
AISA leaders demand the immediate rollback of the 25 percent exam fee hike. They also urge the state government to release all pending scholarship amounts for the current academic session without further delay. Sanjana Mehta issued a warning, stating AISA would “intensify our agitation” if lawmakers fail to address these student demands promptly. The organization has appealed to students throughout Jharkhand to join their march to the Vidhan Sabha in large numbers. This protest follows a similar march recently organized by AJSU Chhatra Morcha concerning related student issues.