SFI Protests in Haveri Against Illegal Donations in Private Colleges

Members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) staged protests in Haveri, Ranebennur, and other locations to demonstrate against the menace of illegal donations and exorbitant fees in private educational institutions. The demonstrators raised slogans criticizing both Union and State governments for failing to regulate these practices effectively. A primary demand of the protest was the immediate formation of a District Education Regulatory Authority and an Anti-Donation Committee to monitor and penalize violations. SFI district leader Arun Nagawat highlighted that many private schools and colleges are violating the Education Act of 1983 and the RTE Act of 2009 by collecting huge donations and conducting unauthorized entrance exams for elementary classes. The protesters argued that these practices disproportionately affect poor, backward, and Dalit minority students, making education inaccessible. They also noted the contrasting trend of proliferating private schools alongside the closure of government Kannada medium schools. The SFI called for strict action against institutions collecting illegal fees for tuition and competitive exam coaching, urging Deputy Commissioners to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders to resolve these issues.