Press release 21st February 2018
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai observes 100% university strike against privatisation of higher education and withdrawal
of financial aid to SC-ST-OBC(NC) students
TISS students union gave a call for university strike on 21st February 2018 against the recent notification
of TISS admin to withdraw financial aid to GOI-PMS students from SC/ST category across all its
campuses. Financial aid had already been withdrawn for OBC students in 2015. Along with this TISS has
been constantly hiking fees given which many students have been forced to drop out or never applying
here. Students held a resistance march on campus last night. Today, since 7 am students, were out in the
campus to make the strike a success. After getting a successful shut down of all classes in campus today
afternoon around 500 students gathered at the TISS main gate and blocked the gate. After 3 hours of
demanding the admin to meet students at the gate, the admin finally gave in and met the students. Students
in Hyderabad, Guwahati, Tuljapur also held protests on their campuses. The admin refused to give in to
demands of students on the spot and asked for 24 hours to respond to our demands. The TISS ex-director
Parasuraman, who is still in campus addressed the students in a derogatory manner, going to the extent
of saying that institution has been doing a favour to the students since past 14 years by providing them
financial aid. He was also heard murmuring abusive words on the face of students while talking. The
students have decided to keep the protest going till demands are met by the admin. The kind of fee that
TISS demands the withdrawal of financial aid along with central government doing fund cut are
completely against the spirit of affirmative action which seeks to provide an opportunity to students to
study in universities like TISS. Over 500 students in different levels of their degree are impacted and
stand to be further impacted by these policies. The enrolment of students from OBC category has
already dropped in the institute. An estimated 9% drop has already been witnessed and now the SC/ST
students will also be dropping out if the situation continues. Tiss is on its way to becoming a world-class
university where social category will only become redundant over time. Students have also been trying
to talk to different ministries like Ministry of social welfare, ministry of tribal affairs but we have
received nothing beyond false hopes and empty promises. In view of these developments, students have
no other way left but to agitate and raise their demands. Students are going to continue to occupy the
TISS main gate, continue the strike tonight and also for more days if needed. We request all students to
join the strike and intensify the struggle. We request the media houses to come at TISS main gate and
help us reach our voice to higher authorities. We also feel that the faculty should come to protest site
and extend support. We also appeal to students in other universities in Mumbai, who have been facing
similar issues to extend support and come to TISS protest site tomorrow morning and discuss further
strategy for carrying ahead this struggle.
Regards
TISS SU
2017-18
Press release 22nd February 2018
Students Reject Admins Response to demands!
CLASS BOYCOTT AND GATE BLOCKADE WILL CONTINUE!
TISS students who have been protesting against the admin since past two days finally had a conversation
with the admin today and the admin agreed to give in to only one demand i.e. fee waiver of ST/SC
students of batch 2016-18. The OBC students have not received any relief. For the 2017-19 batch, there
has not been any change for financial aid to SC-ST-OBC and even for the upcoming batch. Given that the
issues of students remain unresolved the SU along with all students have decided to continue the class
boycott and blockade on 23rd February 2018. A meeting will be held at 9 am at TISS main gate in
morning. All are requested to attend and boycott classes. We are also planning to reach out to students
in other universities in Mumbai to extend solidarity to our strike and get together to discuss the further
course.
Extend support!
Join in large numbers!
TISS SU