AIDSO stages protest over delay in release of scholarships for students

AIDSO condemns State government for delaying scholarships, plans protest in Bengaluru on March 1, 2025.

Members of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) staged a demonstration in the city on Saturday condemning the delay in the release of scholarships for students.

The AIDSO district secretary Nithin said students in the State have not received scholarships properly for the last three years and condemned the lack of regularity that has affected the student community.

The AIDSO said a significant number of students rely on government aid and scholarships to pursue higher education. “Without these scholarships, many students are forced to drop out of studies. The commercialisation of education already limits the educational dreams of poor students, and cutting scholarships is a highly anti-education and anti-student move,” it added.

It condemned the Congress government in the State and said that though it claims to be pro-poor, it has also cut scholarships for children of workers.

Swathi, district vice-president, said that AIDSO’s state-wide survey on scholarships has revealed that degree, postgraduate engineering, and medical students have not received scholarships. “About 40% of students in 2022, 65% in 2023, and 95% in 2024 have not received scholarships,” she added.

A staggering 4,90,372 students in the State, including 37,482 in the Mysuru district, have not received scholarships, according to the AIDSO which accused the State government of betraying the people by not prioritising education and spending tax money wisely. Scholarships are not charity but the right of students, it added.

AIDSO district unit president Chandrakala, office bearers, and students took part in the protest. The AIDSO has also planned a massive protest in Bengaluru on March 1, 2025, to express its outrage over the delay in the distribution of scholarships to students.