New Delhi, September 12: Students of the Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel at Jamia Millia Islamia staged a protest over issues related to the hostel mess, alleging that assurances given by the university administration during an earlier protest had not been implemented.
The students resumed their protest on September 11 and raised demands including cancellation of the current mess vendor’s contract, deployment of female staff in the hostel mess, resignation of the Provost and Warden, and an assurance that students participating in the protest would not face disciplinary action or administrative targeting.
According to the protesting students, breakfast was not served on Friday morning and lunch was served after 3 pm. They also alleged that male staff were present in the mess during lunch and that students were asked to provide their names and mobile numbers before receiving food.
The students objected to the collection of their personal details, alleging that the information could be used to identify or target those participating in the protest.
The protesters also alleged that the mess contractor had not been changed and that the same person was providing food under a different name. They claimed that the contractor had been associated with the hostel mess since 2023 and that students had previously raised objections to his continuation.
AISA Jamia Unit Secretary Saurabh alleged that students had faced threats and intimidation after raising complaints about food quality. He claimed that parents of some students who contacted the Provost were also warned about possible eviction from the hostel.
According to Saurabh, students held a sit-in at the Centenary Gate at around 9:30 pm, which continued for four to five hours. The students subsequently placed four demands before the administration.
He said the demands included cancellation of the contractor’s contract, replacement of male mess staff with female staff, resignation of Provost Nikhat, and an assurance that no disciplinary action would be taken against students participating in the protest.
Saurabh said a team comprising the Dean of Students’ Welfare, the Provost and the Deputy Proctor met the students and signed an agreement covering the four demands.
The students, however, alleged that the assurances were not implemented. They claimed that breakfast was not served the following morning, lunch was delayed and the existing contractor continued to provide food under another name.
They further alleged that three male mess workers were replaced by other male workers instead of female staff being deployed.
The protesters also alleged that the lights at the Centenary Gate were switched off by the university’s Protocol team during the protest, which they said was intended to put pressure on the students.
The students have reiterated their demands and sought implementation of the assurances they said were given in writing by the administration.