SVVU students-government standoff continues for 24th day
Veterinary students demand a long-overdue stipend increase, citing their critical role in public health and livestock welfare in Andhra Pradesh
Update: 2025-02-26 17:13 GMT
Tirupati: The standoff between Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) students and the state government is showing no sign of easing even as the indefinite strike continued on the 24th day on Wednesday.
Students are resolute about their relay hunger strike. The government is yet to respond to their primary demand — a long-overdue increase in stipends.
Students feel frustrated by the authorities’ silence but are firm. “We have been on strike for over three weeks. There has been no official response. It feels like we are being ignored,” said a postgraduate student. He and other students are worried about their future. But they maintain they will not step back until the government issues a formal order.
At the heart of their protest is the demand for higher stipends, which have remained unchanged for 13 years. Currently, undergraduate interns receive ₹7,000 per month, postgraduate students ₹9,000 and Ph. D. scholars ₹10,000. Students are demanding an increased stipend of ₹25,000 for interns, ₹50,000 for PG students, and ₹75,000 for Ph. D. scholars.
They assert that these figures reflect the pay received by medical students in comparable courses.
Protesters maintain their work is just as essential as that of medicos. “Veterinarians play a key role in vaccine trials, zoonotic disease prevention and public health under the One Health framework. We contribute not only to animal welfare but also to human health,” a student said, stressing that their importance goes far beyond tending to livestock.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, university officials, including vice-chancellor Dr. J.V. Ramana and associate dean Dr. Jagapati Ramayya, visited the protest site on Tuesday, urging students to call off their strike. However, the students refused, stating that without a firm commitment from the government, they would not back down.
Protesting students recall a meeting with animal husbandry minister Achannaidu on February 6. They presented their demands to the minister and received reassurance. But there has been no concrete action. “We need more than words,” a Ph. D. scholar underlined.
The students have highlighted their economic significance. “Andhra Pradesh’s livestock sector contributed ₹609 billion to the gross value added (GVA) in 2020. We play a crucial role not just in economic growth, but also stand for the voiceless animals,” declared an intern.
There are rumours of political motives behind the protest. The students say, “This is not about politics — it’s for justice”.
The students have vowed to intensify their agitation in the coming days.