Bihar PhD researchers’ protest enters Day 18, march to Lok Bhavan on August 22

PATNA: Researchers from Bihar have confirmed a protest march to Lok Bhavan in Patna on August 22 in backing of their multiple demands even as their protest at dharna site at Gardanibagh in the state capital entered its 18th day on Friday.

Key points

• One of the association's key demands is the implementation of Table 3A of the UGC Regulation 2018 in the recruitment of assistant professors.
• Bihar Jan Suraaj Party president Manoj Bharti remarked that his party stood firmly with the demands of the protesting researchers.
• Addressing a press conference, Patel accused the state administration of ignoring the demands of researchers and youths.
• A section of protesters is on an indefinite hunger strike.

Some of the protesters are additionally on hunger strike to press the Bihar administration to concede their demands, including the recruitment of assistant professors in the state's universities in a "fair" manner. A section of protesters is on an indefinite hunger strike.

Meanwhile, the indefinite hunger strike by them at the Gardanibagh protest site continued despite worsening health of Kumud Patel, the state convenor of the All PhD Holders and Research Scholars of Bihar. This person is leading the agitation. The protesters, nevertheless, remain firm on their demands.

Addressing a press conference, Patel accused the state administration of ignoring the demands of researchers and youths. He remarked the demands had been raised for a long time, but no concrete steps had been taken so far. He remarked the decision to intensify and expand the agitation was taken in view of the government's alleged inaction.

One of the association's key demands is the implementation of Table 3A of the UGC Regulation 2018 in the recruitment of assistant professors. The protesters additionally demand that the maximum age limit be climbed to 55 years and that the recruitment of assistant professors in universities be created permanent and regular.

In practice, the protesters have additionally demanded an effective domicile policy, an end to alleged encroachment on the autonomy of universities and colleges, and service protection or service adjustment for guest assistant professors who have been working for a number of years.

Meanwhile, Bihar Jan Suraaj Party president Manoj Bharti remarked that his party stood firmly with the demands of the protesting researchers. He asserted the recruitment process for new teachers introduced by the Bihar administration contradicts UGC provisions.

If a teacher or professor is to be recruited in a degree college, PhD marks should carry 30 per cent weightage in the evaluation process but this has been reduced to 11 per cent, he continued.

In short, bihar PhD researchers' protest enters Day 18, march to Lok Bhavan on is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.