Imphal: The indefinite hunger strike launched by the Dhanamanjuri University Students’ Union (DMU-SU) entered its seventh day on Tuesday, with protesters accusing the government of failing to act on their demand for the release of long-pending stipends for PhD scholars.
The protest, supported by the union’s 2005-2006 cohort, was initiated by research scholars seeking the immediate disbursement of stipends that they say have remained unpaid since the programme began.
Konsam Premjit, president of the Democratic Youth Front (DYF), a constituent organisation of the Manipur Democratic People’s Front (MDPF), urged the state government to address the issue and acknowledge the importance of supporting higher education and research.
Speaking to the media, Premjit said no government representative had so far met the students or approached them to discuss their grievances.
According to a fact-finding exercise conducted by the DYF, a Manipur Gazette notification dated October 30, 2017, provides for stipends for PhD research scholars.
Premjit alleged that despite the notification and the existence of official provisions, scholars have not received stipends since the programme was introduced. He said the 2022 batch of PhD scholars has also been left without financial assistance.
The protest followed several attempts by the students and university authorities to secure government intervention. After formal representations and letters to the Commissioner failed to produce a resolution, university officials met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on July 30.
During that meeting, the officials were reportedly assured that the pending stipends would be released in the first week of September. However, Premjit said the commitment was not fulfilled.
The issue was also raised by the Opposition as a starred question during the recent Assembly session. The government reportedly cited a shortage of funds as the reason for not releasing the stipends.
Premjit criticised the explanation, arguing that the government should prioritise financial support for research scholars.
He pointed out that pursuing a PhD, particularly in Science and Arts disciplines, involves substantial personal expenditure. Researchers often have to spend large amounts on laboratory chemicals, technology, fieldwork, preparation of reports and publication of research papers in academic journals.
Premjit said the proposed government stipend of Rs 8,000 per month was never intended to meet the full cost of research. Instead, he said, the assistance was meant to reduce the financial pressure on scholars.
He argued that the government’s inability to provide even this limited monthly support raises serious questions about its commitment to promoting higher education and research in the state.