International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research Vet Students Take a Stand: Resisting Unjust Tuition Hikes and Abuse
A peaceful revolution brews within the walls of the International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (IIVER). Here a group of more than 80 final year students has become the voice of a generation, bravely confronting the injustices that threaten to derail their dreams. For the past 20 days, these students have stood united, their resolve unyielding as they protest against the recent tuition hikes imposed by Mr. Bhupendra Singh Malik, the college chairman.
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This hike, estimated to be around 7-8 lacs (up from 2.5 lacs), has sent shockwaves through the student body, exacerbating the financial strain on these students. This increase is a staggering blow to students already struggling to make ends meet in a country where the cost of living continues to rise. For many aspiring veterinarians, this hike places an insurmountable barrier to accessing quality education, perpetuating inequality and stifling their opportunities. But the students' grievances run deeper than just financial burdens. They allege mental harassment, threats of academic sabotage, and abuse from Mr. Malik and his associates. Their educational journey has become fraught with fear and uncertainty, as they grapple with the very real possibility of being failed in internal and practical exams if they dare to speak out against the injustice they face. Despite their tireless efforts to seek recourse through legal channels, including filing an FIR with audio recordings as evidence, the students have been met with resistance at every turn. Barred from entering the college premises and subjected to tampered attendance records, they find themselves fighting not just for fair tuition but for their right to education free from fear and intimidation.
Since the students hesitate to step forward due to fears of reprisal, we are posting an anonymous statement from one of the senior veterinary students at the college.
“I am a member of the final year veterinary students at the International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research in Bahuakbarpur, Rohtak, India and more than 80 of us have been on strike for the past 20 days and hunger strike for 9 days in front of the Office of LUVAS, Hisar. We have been harassed by the college chairman, Mr. Bhupendra Singh Malik, and two associates, we have been threatening to be failed in our exams, they use abusive language and have made death threats against us for complaining, and filing an grievance. We have this on audio recordings as evidence and have sent it to investigators. We have been peacefully demonstrating because of escalated and illegal fee hikes were imposed on us, and we were threatened with expulsion from the annual exam if fees weren’t paid. We have to take this annual exam to be able to practice medicine. When we approached the High Court to explain our protest, we were barred from entering our college, and some of us had our attendance records tampered with to make us fail courses. The University’s inquiry committee found that we were being prevented from entering the college premises. The committee has also found attendance tampering and interference by Rajbala Malik, who is the wife of Bhupendra Malik. The college chairman has a history of manipulating students’ futures and increasing fees and admission seats despite not meeting minimum standards. We are scared, especially those of us that are women. We are receiving threats and we fear retaliation from the college. If we are removed from college we have no future but we can’t afford to pay the hefty and predatory fee increase. We hope that members of the global veterinary community can help us by spreading the word and asking for the college to remove Mr. Malik from his position.”
The demands of the protesting students are simple yet profound: Properly investigate the harassment and take appropriate action against Mr. Bhupendra Singh Malik and his associates. Conduct the annual and practical exams outside the college premises to ensure fairness and impartiality. Provide alternative internship opportunities or issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for voluntary internships to alleviate the burden on students. As their protest continues outside the Vice-Chancellor's office at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), the students remain steadfast in their determination to see justice served. But they cannot do it alone. It's time for us to stand with them, to lend our voices to their cause and demand fairness in education. Contact Mr. Bhupendra Singh Malik today and urge him to reconsider the tuition hikes and address the students' legitimate grievances. Together, we can ensure that every aspiring veterinarian has the opportunity to pursue their dreams without fear or financial hardship.
Note: Emails requesting an interview from International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (IIVER) were not returned.
