Teachers from government and aided colleges under the banner Joint Action Council of College Teachers (JAC) observed a fast here on Tuesday.
They urged the State Government to withdraw its proposed move to convert government and aided colleges into unitary universities.
Faculty members from 18 government and aided colleges took part in the day-long fast that was led by the Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers' Association, Tiruchi - Pudukottai zonal president N. Selvaraj at Chinthamani here.
The teachers also demanded that the five-member committee, headed by the former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University V.C. Kulandaisamy, constituted by the State to recommend the conversion of government and aided colleges into unitary universities should be disbanded immediately.
Converting colleges into unitary universities would not only lead to closure of undergraduate and conventional courses but also increase the fees, affecting students.
The move would do away with the reservation system besides depriving educational assistance that is being given to the poor students and those belonging to the oppressed, backward and most backward communities, the JAC claimed.
