The Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) unit of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on Thursday staged a protest against the hike in various university fees and demanded immediate withdrawal of the increased charges. Addressing the protest, SFI activists alleged that the university administration had increased general fees, examination fees and hostel fees by 25 per cent, calling the move “anti-student and anti-people”. The activists alleged that the state government and university administration were passing on the burden of financial constraints and budgetary shortcomings to students. They claimed that instead of seeking adequate grants and financial assistance, the administration was relying on fee hikes to address the university’s financial issues. The student body warned of launching a mass movement if the fee hike was not withdrawn.