AISA Protests at Ranchi University Against Education Bills Passed in Jharkhand Assembly

Ranchi, August 27: The Ranchi unit of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) staged a protest on Tuesday at the main gate of Ranchi University, raising strong objections to provisions in three education-related bills passed during the recent supplementary monsoon session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.

Protesters alleged that the Jharkhand State Universities Bill, 2025 seeks to abolish student union elections, a move 

they claim will weaken student representation and hinder the fight for student rights. AISA members argued that student politics plays a vital role in nurturing informed, responsible, and democratic leadership, and that its elimination would damage the democratic fabric of higher education institutions.

The bill also introduces a provision allowing Assistant Professors to be appointed as Heads of Departments (HODs). Protesters criticized this change, saying it undermines the seniority system and the process of faculty promotions, posing a threat to academic structure and fairness in governance.

AISA also opposed the Jharkhand Coaching Centre Regulation and Control Bill, 2025, which mandates a ₹5 lakh bank guarantee from coaching centers. Students said the requirement places an unfair financial burden on small and independent institutions, potentially forcing many to shut down.

Additionally, the Vocational Educational Institutions Bill, 2025 was condemned as a step towards the privatization of higher education. Protesters expressed concern that increased commercialization could make professional courses such as medical, engineering, and management inaccessible to students from economically weaker sections.

The protest saw participation from several AISA leaders and activists, including State Secretary Trilokinath, former State President Sohel Ansari, Sanjana Mehta, Md. Sami, Vijay Kumar, Chhuturam Mahato, Anurag Rai, Sonali Kewat, Shaleen Kumar, Satyaprakash, Piyush Kumar, and Sonu Kumar, along with a large number of students.