JNU students protest at Parliament, demand rise in scholarship

Students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), demanding a rise in the grant for Means cum Merit (MCM) scholarship, protested outside the Parliament House, on Monday afternoon.

Students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), demanding a rise in the grant for Means cum Merit (MCM) scholarship, protested outside the Parliament House, on Monday afternoon.

The scholarship, which has a specified amount of Rs 1500 per person is usually provided to students from underprivileged backgrounds. However, JNUSU demanded a rise in the amount to Rs 3000, stating that it was insufficient to cover the students’ cost.

“This amount is used for students to cover their tuition and mess bills. The current amount is paltry and it doesn’t help cover anything. Since 2006 there has not been a rise in this amount and it is only fair that it be increased,” said Lenin, president, JNUSU.

Students also added that each year JNU received more than 2000 applicants for the MCM scholarship.

The protest however, was shortlived as nearly 100 students who staged the protest were bundled into police vans and taken to the Parliament Street police station.