Thathri, Aug 20: An indefinite hunger strike demanding the immediate commencement of physical construction of the Government Degree College (GDC) Thathri campus began on Wednesday outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office in Thathri, drawing support from local residents, youth leaders, former elected representatives and members of civil society.
The hunger strike was initiated by social activist Manoj Kumar, who stated that the movement aims to draw the attention of the administration and government towards the long-pending demand for a permanent campus for GDC Thathri.
Addressing supporters at the protest site, Manoj Kumar said that despite the college being sanctioned years ago, students of the region continue to pursue higher education without the benefit of a dedicated college campus and adequate academic infrastructure. He asserted that the hunger strike would continue until physical construction work is initiated on the ground.
Several local youth leaders, social activists and citizens joined the protest in solidarity. Former Municipal Committee councillors and other prominent community members also extended their support to the agitation and urged the authorities to take immediate action on the issue.
Former Chairman Municipal Committee Thathri, Mansoor Ahmed, said the demand for a permanent GDC campus is not a new issue but a long-pending public concern that has affected generations of students. “A college sanctioned years ago is still functioning without its own campus. The people of Thathri are only demanding what is rightfully theirs. The government must intervene and ensure that construction begins without further delay,” he said.
AAP leader Raja Shakeel expressed support for the hunger strike and said education infrastructure should remain above political considerations. “The youth of Thathri deserve quality higher education facilities. Successive delays have created frustration among students and parents. We stand with this peaceful democratic movement and urge the administration to act immediately,” he said.
Former Councillor Asgar Hussain said the issue concerns the future of the entire region. “Thousands of students have passed through GDC Thathri over the years, yet they have not been provided the infrastructure they deserve. The administration must remove all hurdles and start construction work at the earliest,” he said.
The protesters highlighted that students have been deprived of essential facilities such as proper classrooms, laboratories, a library, sports infrastructure and a permanent campus for years. They maintained that repeated assurances and administrative processes have failed to translate into visible progress on the project.
Participants raised slogans in support of the demand and called upon the administration to expedite all pending formalities and ensure the commencement of construction work without further delay.
The organizers described the protest as a peaceful democratic movement aimed at safeguarding the educational interests of present and future generations of students in Thathri and adjoining areas.
The hunger strike is being conducted under the banner of local associations and civil society groups, with organizers expressing hope that the government and district administration will intervene and address the long-pending issue at the earliest.
