Can We Afford Education Anymore? AMU Students Protest 36% Fee Spike

By Amit Kumar

Tensions flared at Aligarh Muslim University this week as students launched large-scale protests
against a sudden and significant hike in academic fees. The administration’s decision to increase
charges by up to 36% for various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes has sparked
widespread outrage, with students decrying the move as unjust and unaffordable.

Demonstrators gathered at the iconic Baab-e-Syed gate on Monday, blocking the main entrance of
the campus and taking out protest marches. Chanting slogans like “We are demanding our rights, not
begging” and “Have some shame, administration,” students expressed anger over what they say was
an unannounced and excessive hike in fees.

The fee revision includes an increase in charges for continuation, exam registration, and other
student services. Protesters allege that there was no prior notification or consultation regarding the
decision.

The protest, which began over the weekend, continued into late Monday night, with students
refusing to back down despite the proctorial team reportedly attempting to dismantle the sit-in by
removing bedding and shouting at students to disperse. Yet demonstrators remained firm, declaring
they will not stop until the fee hike is withdrawn.

In contrast, the university has defended its decision. A press statement from the AMU Public
Relations Office stated that the Academic Council approved the fee revision on June 4, 2025,
describing the move as a “moderate” increase, averaging between 15 to 20 percent.
According to the university, the new fees are necessary to cover rising operational costs and to fund
services such as infrastructure upgrades, healthcare, hall maintenance, and other student facilities.
“The revision ensures the university can sustain and improve essential services in the face of
increasing living costs,” the statement read.

However, student organisations and political representatives have joined the outcry. The Students
Islamic Organisation (SIO) of AMU slammed the hike as “arbitrary and exclusionary,” warning that it
would disproportionately impact students from marginalised backgrounds. “This isn’t just a price
increase, it’s a betrayal of AMU’s founding mission as an institution for social upliftment,” the group said in a press release.

IUML Rajya Sabha MP, Advocate Haris Beeran, also weighed in, urging the Vice Chancellor to immediately revoke what he termed an “unjustified” hike. He echoed the call for increased
government support instead of shifting financial burdens onto students.

With tempers running high and students vowing to continue their demonstrations, the crisis shows
no signs of resolution. The protest at AMU is not merely about tuition, it has become a flashpoint for
broader concerns about accessibility, accountability, and student rights in higher education