Dhanbad witnessed widespread protests on Wednesday as students from various colleges and universities opposed the implementation of clustering and restructuring in higher education institutions across the state. Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and AJSU Chhatra Sangh staged demonstrations at Binod Bihari Mahato Koylanchal University (BBMKU), P K Roy Memorial College, and other educational institutes.
Student Concerns Over Cluster System
Protesters alleged that the newly proposed clustering system would severely impact the higher education structure in the state. Under this system, students may be required to move between different colleges for various subjects and classes, leading to increased transportation expenses and academic inconvenience. They also expressed concerns that regular classes would be disrupted, and students from economically weaker backgrounds would face greater difficulties in pursuing higher education.
Anshu Tiwari, a state committee member of ABVP, criticized the government's approach, stating, "The government, in the name of reforming higher education, is making education complex, expensive, and impractical."
Official Response
In response to the protests, BBMKU Vice-Chancellor Ram Kumar Singh announced that a special seminar would be organized in Ranchi on May 21 and 22. The seminar will involve vice-chancellors, registrars, senior officials, and college principals from across the state to better understand and discuss the implementation of the cluster system.
