Pondicherry University students launch indefinite strike

PUDUCHERRY: The Pondicherry University Students' Council launched an indefinite strike on Thursday demanding that the university fulfil its various demands.
The members of the council, led by vice-president Shonima Nelliyat, and executive member V Bharati launched the agitation in front of the second gate of the university at 9am.
The council has been demanding that the university resume free bus services for local students, roll back “unjustified” fee hike for all courses, implement 25% reservation for the students in the Union territory in all courses, improve hostel infrastructural facilities and establish a “student-friendly” academic ambience on the campus.
The protesting students raised slogans condemning the “anti-student” attitude of the university administration. The council launched the indefinite strike after talks with the university administration on Wednesday evening to resolve the issues failed.
The university invited the council for talks after the latter slammed it for holding talks with the representatives of the ABVP, which has a negligible presence on the campus, on Tuesday. The council is the lone students’ body recognised by the university. The council said the “indefinite waiting strike” would continue until the university fulfilled all its demands.