IMPHAL, Sept 14: Student organisation Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) on Monday extended solidarity to research scholars of Dhanamanjuri University (DM University) who have launched a hunger strike demanding the release of pending fellowships and stipends.
DESAM urged the Manipur government and university authorities to intervene immediately and release the dues, describing the scholars’ demand as “genuine, legitimate and academically justified”.
The organisation said research involved expenses for fieldwork, data collection, travel, books, equipment and other academic requirements. “Fellowship is not a favour or charity; it is essential academic support that enables scholars to carry out their research with dignity and continuity,” it said.
DESAM also demanded financial assistance for research contingencies, publication expenses, seminars, conferences and other essential academic activities. It said delays in fellowship payments had placed considerable financial pressure on scholars and called for a regular, transparent and sustainable mechanism for timely disbursement.
The student body appealed to the authorities to hold meaningful talks with the protesting scholars and resolve their demands at the earliest, saying their academic future and well-being should not be compromised by delays in financial support.
