Student unions announce protest against govt move to scrap organizations

KATHMANDU: A coalition of student unions has announced a phase-wise protest against the government’s reported plan to dissolve student organizations.

Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Friday, the Joint Student Union declared the first phase of its protest program against the move.

As per the schedule, the unions will hold interactions with civil society leaders on April 12, followed by discussions and interactions across campuses in all districts from April 13 to April 17. They also plan to engage with former student leaders and lawmakers on April 18.

Similarly, from April 20 to 22, student unions will carry out awareness campaigns on campuses, including displaying banners, distributing pamphlets, and collecting signatures.

The unions have also announced plans to submit memorandum letters to vice-chancellors of all universities on April 24, and to the Prime Minister through Chief District Officers on April 25. A nationwide protest featuring students carrying notebooks and pens, including a demonstration at Baluwatar in Kathmandu, has been scheduled for April 28.

Nepali Congress-affiliated Nepal Student Union (NSU) President Dujang Sherpa warned that any attempt by the government to adopt authoritarian policies would not be acceptable.

Similarly, ANNFSU President Deepak Dhami criticized the government for attempting to suppress public voices through restrictive measures. He warned of strong protests if the government moves ahead unilaterally to dissolve organizations affiliated with political ideologies.

The Joint Student Union has also put forward a list of demands, including effective regulation and monitoring of technology integration in universities, immediate implementation of the high-level commission report formed by Tribhuvan University, and publication of exam results along with conducting re-examinations within three months.

The unions have further demanded measures to control inflation and provide relief packages to the public. They also called for the formation of an independent and impartial high-level probe committee to investigate the incidents of September 8 and 9, 2025, and to take strict action against those found guilty based on the report.