Women staying at Delhi University’s University Hostel for Women (UHW) staged a late-night sit-in in protest against “forced evictions” and “extortion” by the hostel management, according to a statement issued by the All India Students Association (AISA).
The protest began around 9:30 pm on Thursday and continued past midnight, with students sitting on the campus streets amid ongoing semester exams and preparation for NEET exams.
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In its statement, AISA claimed that students were “pushed to the brink” over the past week due to administrative actions, including the disruption of basic facilities. She claimed that water supply had been cut off to parts of two hostel buildings, and that chairs had been removed from the reading room, affecting academic preparations.
The student body also alleged that the dean was carrying out a “forced eviction campaign” despite the students having already paid their housing fees in advance for the months of June and July.
The association said in its statement: “This institutional indifference exceeds all limits of human dignity.”
The association also alleged that after the mobilization on May 16, the dean gave a “deceptive verbal assurance” to restore the facilities and extend the residency deadline, but later “retracted” and issued a “punitive blackmail order” demanding $450 per day from students who continued to stay in the hostel.
AISA demanded the immediate resignation of the UHW Dean, restoration of 24/7 water supply, and unconditional extension of the hostel stay without financial penalties.
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“AISA stands relentlessly with the resistant residents and demands the immediate resignation of the UHW Dean, a concrete written guarantee for the restoration of 24/7 water supply, and an unconditional extension of stay at the hostel without any financial penalties!” Read statement.
Delhi University authorities are yet to issue a response to these allegations. (that I)
