Hampi Kannada University’s financial troubles have deepened, leaving 130 SC/ST postgraduate and Ph.D. scholars without scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year. Despite repeated appeals to the university’s administration, the students have yet to receive any support, prompting them to threaten protests.
University officials attribute the delay to an ongoing fund crunch. A postgraduate student from the SC community expressed frustration, stating that many students rely on scholarships for essential academic needs like books and study materials. “If funds are not released soon, it will be difficult for us to manage,” the student said.
In a recent visit, a state minister discussed the issue with students and promised swift action. However, the students claim there has yet to be progress, despite multiple follow-ups by the students’ union. The administration has assured students that efforts are being made to secure the funds and requested patience, with a senior official noting, “We have written to the government and will continue to follow up to ensure scholarships are disbursed within a month.”
The financial crisis at Karnataka’s sole Kannada university has also affected other areas. Earlier this year, the university’s electricity was cut off due to two years of unpaid bills, only to be restored after state intervention. Additionally, more than 100 contract workers have gone without salaries for eight months, with assurances of payment yet to materialize.
Students and staff alike are calling for urgent action to resolve these long-standing financial issues and restore normalcy to the university.