Agitated over the unjustified conditions imposed by the state government and Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Board, the students at several polytechnic colleges have decided to intensify the stir against the state government and have threatened to immolate self if their demands were not met.
The students, who on Wednesday started a chain hunger strike, alleged that the board had imposed a condition that the students, who passed 50% exams of the first semester, would be allowed to take admission in the next semester. It was totally unjustified and mindless, they added.
They said they had moved the high court on the issue, after the result of the first semester was declared. The state HC, however, had stayed the decision, after which the students took the examination for the second semester.
"Now, when we were to appear in the second semester, the board has refused to declare the result and the students, who will not pass 50% exams in the first semester are being asked to take admission in first semester again," alleged a polytechnic student Vivek Kumar.
The students alleged that they had paid a hefty fee of `5,000 to appear in the second semester examination and the board's decision has put their career in jeopardy.
{{/usCountry}}The students alleged that they had paid a hefty fee of `5,000 to appear in the second semester examination and the board's decision has put their career in jeopardy.
{{/usCountry}}"This is putting financial burden on the students, who come from poor background," they said, adding that this had also forced the students, willing to take admission in polytechnic courses, to move to the other states, even as the seats these colleges in the state were lying vacant.
"Most of the students are in stress as their future has been jeopardized by such unjustified conditions," said another student Surjeet Singh, adding that as most of the students studying in polytechnic colleges, come from rural background and find it difficult to grasp the subjects in the very first semester.
The protesters said they would sit on fast unto death and if the condition was not removed and could take the path of self-immolation.