Aligarh: Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) faced a brutal assault by Uttar Pradesh police on Friday during a peaceful protest against a sudden 36% fee hike, which they have been opposing for six consecutive days. The police, after being allowed to enter the campus, dragged students away from the Baab-e-Syed Gate, the university’s main entrance, where they had been blocking access, demanding a full rollback of the fee increase. The students described the hike as “unfair,” especially to those from poor and marginalised backgrounds, and also called for the resignation of professors accused of misconduct as members of the proctorial team.
According to student accounts, the police entered the campus during Friday prayers, forcibly removing students praying on the sidewalk and using tear gas to disperse the protesters. One female student alleged that the proctorial team orchestrated the chaos, claiming the proctor sent her to halt the prayers but instead police were summoned, despite two female students already being in the prayer area. She added that during the altercation, one female student was pushed in the chest.
When students met with Vice Chancellor Naima Khatoon, she assured them the matter would be investigated. However, the students vowed to continue their peaceful protest, questioning the timing and harsh treatment. “They know very well that most students come from economically weak backgrounds. How can they expect everyone to afford a sudden 36% hike?” one student asked.
By evening, the protests grew stronger as the Doctors’ Residence Association of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), AMU, joined in solidarity with a “White Coat March.” Nationwide student unions, including Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), also expressed support. JNUSU President Nitish Kumar and his Vice President participated in the demonstration, condemning the fee hike as an “undemocratic move.” DUSU President Ronak Khatri issued a video warning to AMU’s Vice Chancellor, giving her seven days to resolve the issue or face protests in Delhi.
Despite the unrest, Vice Chancellor Khatoon acknowledged the anxiety caused by the financial change but claimed that “legitimate student concern has been systematically distorted and exploited by vested interests.” She assured that a committee would investigate allegations of misconduct by proctorial staff during the events on August 4 at Baab-e-Syed Gate.
The controversy began following a sudden 36% increase in fees at AMU, affecting continuation and exam registration charges across undergraduate, postgraduate, and other academic programs. This sparked protests as students blocked the main campus entrance.
A press release from AMU’s Public Relations Office stated that the Academic Council had approved a moderate fee revision averaging 15 to 20 percent for continuing students in a meeting held on June 4, 2025. The university justified the hike as necessary after reviewing essential services and resources aimed at improving student welfare. The revised fees cover infrastructure development, health services, hall amenities, Sir Syed Day functions, maintenance of common rooms, and resident charges.
The release also noted that rising living costs in recent years made the revision essential to sustain and upgrade these services. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as students continue their protests, demanding the rollback of the fee hike and accountability for misconduct within the administration.