Jammu : In a remarkable display of unity and determination, nursing students from the Government Nursing College Gangyal, Jammu, achieved a significant victory after a prolonged protest against exorbitant fees. Spearheaded by the International Human Rights Organization (IHRO), with Akash Bhagat, Youth Provincial President Jammu IHRO J&K, playing a main role from start to end, the students’ relentless pursuit of justice has resulted in the initiation of a refund process for the excessive fees charged by the Govt Medical College Jammu.
The catalyst for their outrage was the glaring disparity between the fees specified in the 2017 notification from the Health and Medical Education Department and the exorbitant fees actually charged by the college. According to the 2017 notification, nursing colleges were directed to charge INR 10,500 for the first year and INR 4,600 for the subsequent three years. However, Government Nursing College Gangyal chose to charge a staggering INR 70,000 and INR 50,000 for the first year, and INR 30,000 and INR 50,000 (for APL category students) for the subsequent three years. This significant deviation from the specified fees ignited the students’ determination to fight against this injustice.
On the guidance of Chairman J&K International Human Rights Organization (IHRO) Adv. Pardeepak Singh Chib, IHRO J&K Youth President Shubham Langer, along with Akash Bhagat, Youth Provincial President Jammu IHRO J&K, and students of BSc nursing including IHRO Bsc Nursing students wing president tawseef ayoub and other students met Bhupinder Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education J&K. They presented all the relevant matters, after which he initiated the process that eventually led to the refund of the excess fees.
The protest, which began on October 17, 2022, gained momentum over time, culminating in a successful outcome that many thought impossible. The IHRO played a crucial role, with Akash Bhagat, Youth Provincial President Jammu IHRO J&K, at the forefront, guiding and supporting the students throughout their journey and leading them to a meeting with the Secretary of Health & Medical Education. The protest, which lasted for nearly one years, showcased the unwavering determination of the students of Government Nursing College Gangyal.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts and the dedication of the students, as well as the remarkable leadership of Akash Bhagat, Youth Provincial President Jammu IHRO J&K, justice has been served, and the nursing students will now receive the rightful refund of the excess fees charged by GMC Jammu. This victory stands as a testament to the power of unity and the unwavering spirit of those who strive for fairness and justice.
