‘Our lives seen as cheap’: Students’ voices echo in Old Rajinder Nagar as stir continues

“They (coaching centres) take exorbitant amounts of money from us,” said Roshan Singh (26), another UPSC aspirant. Singh said that while rates vary across coaching institutes, on average, an aspirant pays Rs 1.75 lakh for a foundation or general studies course, then Rs 50,000 to 60,000 for optional subject classes, Rs 15,000 for aptitude test classes, and Rs 50,000 for the mock-test series. “If the aspirant passes the prelims (preliminary exam) they pay another Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh for mentorship from top teachers in Delhi to prepare for the mains,” he said.

Arvind Kumar (24), who’s been studying for the civil services exam in Delhi for the last three years, said, “It is a sad state of affairs, the way we live in Old Rajinder Nagar. We’ve raised safety-related issues multiple times but not one person has listened to us. Then there’s the “broker-raj”. Even though the rooms we live in are as small as matchboxes, they take at least Rs 15,000 in rent, and every year, they increase it. For people who come from rural areas of India to prepare for UPSC, it becomes very difficult to survive in Delhi,” he said.

Even as hundreds protested together, their concerns varied. Some flagged the negligence of the urban authorities, others spoke of the appalling living conditions.

Some expressed concern over the exorbitant prices of the courses and rent. In the three days since the protests started, a divide seems to have emerged.

“What we want is that the families of the victims – including the boy who was electrocuted to death – receive at least Rs 1 crore in compensation. The other demand is for a proper and detailed investigation to take place in the negligence of the MCD and to take action against those responsible,” said an aspirant who asked not to be named.

“We don’t want the protest to become politicised, which is what has been happening ever since students from JNU and DU have become involved,” he said.

Despite differences, the body of students sat together clapping, and chanted till late evening— “We want justice”. More and more students seemed to trickle in as dusk fell. “It seems our lives are seen as cheap,” said Priyanshu Jangid (19), an undergraduate student preparing for civil services.

“We’re here to remind them that we aren’t ordinary protesters. We know exactly what they’ve been doing wrong. We study the system after all,” he said.