KATHMANDU: Various student organizations staged a protest and march at Tribhuvan University on Tuesday, opposing the government’s reported plan to dissolve student unions.
The protest comes after a provision to scrap student organizations was included in the government’s governance reform agenda, prompting a joint student alliance to take to the streets.
Protesters warned that any move aimed at ending the existence of Free Student Unions and other student bodies in universities would be unacceptable.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, students called for the immediate introduction of the School Education Bill, demanded professors instead of police presence on campuses, and insisted that student unions must not be dissolved. They also stressed the need to ensure university autonomy.
The protesters further demanded that the government control rising inflation, end the trend of militarization in educational institutions, implement merit-based systems, and maintain the existing 45 percent transport fare discount for students.
Vice-president of ANNFSU (Revolutionary), Madan Dhakal, said student groups are continuing their protests, demanding that the government withdraw its decision to dissolve student unions.
He warned that stronger protests would be launched if the government fails to address their concerns.
Dhakal added that protest programs would be expanded to campuses across the country through student unions in the coming days.
He also said that any decision to abolish student organizations, which have historically played a leading role in political change in Nepal, could create further complications for the government.
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