Students at Dayananda Sagar University in Bengaluru raised concerns about conditions at the girls’ hostel, complaining about lack of basic amenities, differences in hostel rules and a recent protest.
The concerns on social media are attributed to students who say they have been looking for answers from the university management.
Several basic facilities at the girls’ hostel are now inadequate, these students say. There are reports that Wi-Fi has not been working properly for nearly a month and hot water has also been a problem, they said.
The drinking water used for cleaning has also been contaminated and mosquitoes are reportedly in it, they said.
The students also complain about hostel maintenance. They say rooms are not cleaned every day and vending machines are frequently empty, so students lack basic conveniences.
Students Question Different Hostel Rules
The protest is not limited to amenities. Students have also questioned what they describe as differences between rules imposed on the boys’ and girls’ hostels.
According to students’ claims, girls have a 9:30 pm entry deadline and the boys’ hostel has a 10 pm deadline. Students also voiced concerns about clothing, outside food and electric kettles.
Students say that because the two hostels are located near each other, the same standards should apply to both. They wish to know what kind of restrictions they think are unfair to them from management.
Protest Escalates Into Safety Concern
The students say their protest continued after the girls’ hostel entry deadline. They claim that instead of taking on their complaints about facilities, the management questioned their presence outside the hostel after 9:30 pm.
The students also claim that boys from the nearby hostel began bursting firecrackers and threw eggs at the protesting girls.
According to the online accounts of the event, the incident continued for about 30 minutes and two girls were allegedly hit by eggs, one victim having a shoulder bruise from an eggshell.
The students have also claimed that security personnel and wardens did not intervene quickly enough. They also claim that some comments from management placed responsibility on the girls for being outside after the permitted time.
All these allegations have not been independently verified and the university’s response to the specific claims should be considered before making any conclusions.
Students Demand Attention to Basic Needs
For protesting students, the issue goes beyond hostel rules. Wi-Fi, safe drinking water, hot water, hygiene and regular cleaning are basic requirements, especially for students paying substantial hostel fees.
Now there are the hostel management issues, student safety and whether facilities and rules are implemented fairly.
The students seek a response from the university management and action on the concerns they have raised.
A firm response from the institution would be very helpful to make the truth behind the facility problems, hostel rules and the protest’s events clear.
