ABVP demands hike in SC/ST scholarships, will hold protests

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), will hold nationwide protests on Thursday demanding the immediate release of all pending scholarships/fellowships to SC/ST/OBC students under state and central schemes.

“We are trying to push for an overhaul in the minimum scholarships for reserved category. It should be increased to ₹12,000 per annum. Scholarships should be issued within 15 days. We are organising a similar programme in JNU on Thursday,” Saurabh Sharma, ABVP JNU coordinator, said.

ABVP general secretary Ashish Chauhan tweeted, “has demanded a three-time hike in pre-matric and post-matric scholarships of marginalised classes, which were not hiked since 2003”.

“Through this protest, we are demanding special hostels and free coaching centres for students preparing for competitive exams,” Chauhan said

According to sources, the HRD ministry held a meeting to discuss if the amount is being released on time to the students.