4 hrs ago
Jamia Hostel Protest Escalates Over Food and Assault Claims
Students at a Jamia Millia Islamia hostel are protesting about the food served in their mess.
They say insects and other unwanted objects were found in the food.
They want the university to change the food contractor and appoint female mess workers.
They also want action against hostel officials and protection from punishment for protesting.
AISA says an assistant proctor hurt or pushed students during an incident late Friday night.
The university denies this and says some protesters damaged hostel gates and mistreated university staff.
AISA also says lights were turned off and barricades were used near the protest area.
The university says the lights were switched off for energy conservation and that the protest was not held at the designated site.
Both sides disagree about what happened and whether the university kept its earlier promises.
Students at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel entered the protest’s third day over allegedly poor-quality mess food.
Students demanded cancellation of the existing mess contract, female mess staff, action against hostel authorities and protection from disciplinary action.
AISA alleged that Assistant Proctor Maqsood Ahmad Malik assaulted students and that a student’s phone was snatched while she recorded the incident.
The university denied the assault allegation and said protesters broke two hostel gates and manhandled members of the proctorial team.
Students said earlier assurances were not implemented, while the university said most demands were accepted on the protest’s first day.
- Who
- Students of Jamia Millia Islamia’s Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel, AISA and university officials, including Assistant Proctor Maqsood Ahmad Malik.
- What
- A protest over alleged poor-quality hostel food has expanded into competing allegations involving student assault, gate damage and misconduct.
- Where
- Jamia Millia Islamia’s Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel and areas near the Dean of Students’ Welfare office and Centenary Gate in New Delhi.
- When
- The protest entered its third day on Saturday, September 12; the alleged confrontation near the Dean of Students’ Welfare office reportedly occurred around 1 a.m. on Friday.
- Why
- Students are seeking a new mess vendor, female mess staff, action against hostel authorities and assurances against disciplinary action.
Students and AISA
Jamia University Officials
Alleged assault
Students and AISA
AISA alleged that Assistant Proctor Maqsood Ahmad Malik intimidated, manhandled and assaulted students near the Dean of Students’ Welfare office, and that a student’s phone was snatched while she recorded the incident.
Jamia University Officials
The university denied the assault allegation and instead accused protesters of manhandling members of the proctorial team.
Fulfilment of demands
Students and AISA
Students and AISA said the university failed to implement assurances, including changing the mess contractor, causing the protest to resume.
Jamia University Officials
University officials said most of the students’ demands were accepted on the first day and accused protesters of escalating the situation.
Conduct and protest arrangements
Students and AISA
AISA alleged that electricity was switched off near the Centenary Gate and barricades were put up to isolate protesting students.
Jamia University Officials
The university said protesters broke two hostel gates, put security at risk and demonstrated outside the designated site near Gate No. 18. It said campus lights were routinely switched off for energy conservation and that the measure was unrelated to the protest.
Key facts
- Institution
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Hostel
- Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel
- Main complaint
- Students alleged that insects and foreign objects were found in mess food.
- Student demands
- Cancellation of the existing mess-vendor contract, appointment of female mess staff, action against hostel authorities and protection from disciplinary action.
- AISA allegation
- AISA alleged that Assistant Proctor Maqsood Ahmad Malik assaulted students and that a student’s phone was snatched while she recorded the incident.
- University response
- University officials denied the assault allegation and said protesters broke two hostel gates and manhandled members of the proctorial team.
- Protest-site dispute
- The university said protesters were not at the designated site near Gate No. 18; AISA alleged that lights were switched off and barricades were used near the Centenary Gate.
Quotes
Jamia Millia Islamia spokesperson
Official spokesperson for Jamia Millia Islamia
“Students broke two gates of the girls’ hostel, putting everyone’s security at risk, and manhandled members of the proctorial team.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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