Students and researchers stage peaceful protest at Indian Institute of Astrophysics

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Students and researchers of Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Kormangala - a central institute funded by the Department of Science and Technology, staged a peaceful protest to demand a hike in their fellowships.

The students have claimed that their current fellowships are not adequate to meet daily needs as the cost of living has significantly increased as a consequence of inflation. This in turn is affecting their ability to focus on studies and research.

“We strongly believe that investing in education and research is essential for the progress and development of our society, and we demand that the authorities take this matter seriously,” the students said in a statement.

“We are calling on the government, on the day of the presentation of the budget, to increase the fellowships to a level that is commensurate with the cost of living and the responsibilities that come with being a student or researcher. We hope that this protest will raise awareness about this issue and lead to a positive outcome for all those affected by this situation,” they added.