PATNA — The ongoing Bihar PhD researchers protest has officially entered its 18th day at the designated Gardanibagh dharna site in the state capital. Higher education scholars across the state have announced a major march to Lok Bhavan in Patna on August 22. They plan to intensify their agitation to push the Bihar government toward accepting their academic demands.
Several demonstrators remain on an indefinite hunger strike despite deteriorating health conditions. Kumud Patel, the state convenor of the All PhD Holders and Research Scholars of Bihar, has been leading the hunger strike at Gardanibagh. Protesters state that two rounds of talks with top state education officials ended without any resolution. Consequently, the scholars resolved to expand their movement across the state.
Core Demands and Academic Grievances
The Bihar PhD researchers protest centers on crucial structural reforms in higher education recruitment. Demonstrators are demanding fair and permanent selection processes for assistant professors in state universities.
Key demands raised by the scholars include:
- Implementation of UGC Regulation 2018: Protesters demand the strict application of Table 3A under UGC norms for evaluating candidates during assistant professor recruitment.
- Weightage Correction: Scholars argue that the state evaluation process reduced PhD weightage from 30 percent to 11 percent. They urge the state to restore proper academic criteria.
- Age Limit Relaxation: The association seeks an increase in the maximum age limit to 55 years for assistant professor applicants.
- Domicile Policy: Protesters call for an effective domicile policy to safeguard job opportunities for local researchers.
- Regularization of Guest Faculty: Service protection and job adjustments remain a key requirement for guest assistant professors serving for years.
- University Autonomy: Demonstrators demand an immediate end to alleged administrative encroachments on college autonomy.
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Political Support and Escalating Tension
The Bihar PhD researchers protest has drawn significant attention from various political leaders. Bihar Jan Suraaj Party president Manoj Bharti expressed firm solidarity with the scholars. He noted that state recruitment rules contradict central UGC frameworks and disadvantage local PhD degree holders. Purnia MP Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, previously visited the Gardanibagh site to support the hunger strikers.
The decision to march to Lok Bhavan on August 22 marks a critical turning point. Protesters emphasize that they will continue their peaceful demonstration until official notifications align with their six-point charter. With scholar health concerns rising, public attention remains focused on how the state government responds ahead of the planned march.