AIDSO opposes Karnataka engineering college's 50% payment quota; stages bandh in Davangere

NEW DELHI: The All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) led a bandh across Davangere today, protesting the implementation of a 50% payment quota at the UBDT College of Engineering. As per AIDSO, the protest saw the participation of farmers' organizations, labor unions, pro-Kannada groups, and local citizens, with all major educational institutions, shops, and transport services coming to a halt.

The bandh, organized to "Save UBDT," formed a human chain formed at Jayadeva Circle by protestors, followed by a procession. The rally concluded with the garlanding of revolutionary leader Bhagat Singh’s statue by Eshwarappa, a retired principal of DRM Degree College,as a mark of respect. Slogans like “Education is not for sale in Bhagat Singh's country” and “We will not tolerate injustice” were raised by the protestors.

Protest over payment quota seats at UBDT Davanagere

The Karnataka government’s decision to introduce management seats at the UBDT College of Engineering, Davangere, has triggered widespread student protests. As per TOI report, the move to enforce a 50% payment quota from the current academic year has sparked concerns, as out of 504 total seats, 254 are being allocated at a cost of Rs 97,000 each based on rank. The remaining 250 merit seats, though lower in price at Rs 43,000, still pose financial challenges for students from economically weaker sections.

Statewide movement to continue if payment quota not withdrawn

Speaking at the protest, AIDSO State vice-president Abhaya Diwakar applauded the people of Davangere for their overwhelming response to the bandh call. Diwakar highlighted the growing concerns about the government's efforts to corporatize education and warned that the issues faced by UBDT College could soon spread to other government institutions. She stressed that education should be protected as a tool to fight injustice and called for a continued movement if the government fails to withdraw the 50% payment quota.

Hiremath, a senior member of the Canara Bank Employees Federation, also addressed the gathering, commending the unity shown by the public and affirming that the movement would persist until the demands are met.

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Institutions, businesses, and transport shut in protest

According to the information from AIDSO, the bandh resulted in the complete closure of prominent institutions such as UBDT College, Government Women's College, RL Law College, and multiple degree colleges. Additionally, shops and businesses voluntarily shut down, and both public and private bus services were suspended in solidarity with the protest.

Arrests of AIDSO activists during protest

As per AIDSO, police arrested several AIDSO activists, including Shashikala, Shanti, Rohit, and Bharati, along with other protesters, during the protest. As per the latest update, the government is yet to respond to the request of scrapping the 50% payment quota.