Hyderabad students protest HC interim order on fee collection, demand immediate govt intervention
The organisations says that the move, which comes amidst massive pending scholarship dues from the state government, unfairly shifts the burden onto the most vulnerable students.
By Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Expressing deep concern over a recent interim order by the Telangana High Court, student and advocacy groups, ASEEM (Association for Socio-Economic Empowerment of the Marginalised) and SIO (Students Islamic Organisation of India) Telangana, have slammed the decision allowing private colleges to collect tuition fees directly from students starting from the 2026–27 academic year.
The organisations argue that the move, which comes amidst massive pending scholarship dues from the state government, unfairly shifts the burden of administrative failure onto the most vulnerable students.
Impact on marginalised sections
In a joint statement, the groups highlighted that students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Backward Classes (BC) and minority communities rely heavily on the state’s Fee Reimbursement Scheme.
By permitting colleges to demand fees directly, the court order exposes these students to potential harassment, the withholding of essential documents like certificates, and the denial of examination hall tickets.
“Education is a right, not a privilege,” the statement read. “No student should be forced to discontinue their studies or face humiliation due to the state’s failure to fulfil its financial commitments,” added the statement.
While acknowledging the financial strain educational institutions face due to delayed government payments, the organisations maintained that the burden should not be transferred to underprivileged students who already lack equal access to higher education.
The five demands
The two organisations have issued a list of five key demands to the Telangana government:
1. Immediate Appeal: The State government must challenge the High Court’s interim order.
2. Clearance of Dues: All pending scholarship and fee reimbursement funds must be released immediately.
3. Protection from Harassment: Strict directives must be issued to private colleges to prevent any form of coercion or pressure tactics against students.
4. Transparent Timeline: A clear, publicly announced roadmap for clearing current arrears and ensuring timely future payments.
5. Conflict Resolution Mechanism: The establishment of a dedicated platform to address the grievances of both students and institutions to prevent future impasses.
Legal battle continues
ASEEM and SIO revealed that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding scholarship pendency and student harassment is already sub-judice before a Division Bench of the Telangana High Court.
