Students torch figure of Vice-Chancellor Naima Khatoon at AMU
The students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have been protesting for several days, with their primary grievance being a sudden and steep increase in fees that they deem unfair to economically weaker students [1][4]. The protests have seen students gather at the Baab-e-Syed gate and undertake an indefinite hunger strike to press their demands.
In addition to the fee hike, the students are also demanding the holding of students' union elections, which have not been conducted for eight years, reflecting their desire for democratic student representation [1].
The protests have not been without incident, with reports of police action against the students. One such instance occurred when many protesters were offering collective prayers at the dharna site, resulting in the reported police action [2]. The students hold certain senior university officials responsible for the current crisis [5].
Several opposition MPs have expressed concern over the reported police action on the campus, while groups like the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer organizations, have shown support for the AMU students by amplifying their demands and standing in solidarity with their protests [1].
The SKM's support extends beyond the AMU students' demands for a rollback of the fee hike and students' union elections. They have also announced that they will raise the students' grievances alongside opposition to electricity privatisation during a 'Virodh Diwas' protest on Wednesday [3].
Despite the protests, an agreement was reached between the AMU administration and the students in the early hours of August 19, 2025; however, this agreement was reportedly met with disappointment by many students, indicating unresolved issues remain [3].
In summary:
- Grievances: sudden fee hike, demand for student union elections, alleged police repression.
- Student actions: protests at Baab-e-Syed gate, indefinite hunger strike.
- Support: opposition MPs and Samyukt Kisan Morcha backing protests, highlighting solidarity from political and social activist groups.
- Current status: protests paused after dialogue; agreement met with mixed reactions, with ongoing discontent among student activists [1][3][4][5].
- The SKM has demanded an inquiry into the alleged police crackdown on the AMU students on Friday afternoon.
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/aligarh-muslim-university-students-protest-against-fee-hike/article32084541.ece [2] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aligarh-muslim-university-students-offer-collective-prayers-at-dharna-site-police-action-reported-3005834 [3] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/aligarh-muslim-university-students-end-hunger-strike-after-agreement-with-administration/article32109444.ece [4] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aligarh-muslim-university-students-begin-indefinite-hunger-strike-against-fee-hike-2883393 [5] https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/aligarh-muslim-university-students-protest-against-hike-in-fees-demand-rollback/1969300
- The students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), while demanding a rollback of the fee hike and students' union elections, have also appealed to various political and social activist groups, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), for support in their education-and-self-development and general-news cause.
- The SKM, an umbrella body of farmer organizations, has shown solidarity with the AMU students and, beyond supporting their demands, has also pledged to raise the students' grievances during a 'Virodh Diwas' protest, focusing on politics related to electricity privatization.
