King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has banned the preparation of non-vegetarian food items in all its hostels, although ordering such items from outside has not been banned, officials said on Tuesday.
The move comes in the wake of concerns raised by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel – Chancellor of the state’s universities – over non-vegetarian food items being prepared at the KGMU hostel.
Patel had visited KGMU on Monday to attend the degree distribution ceremony.
Concluding her speech at the event, she specifically mentioned that she learned that non-vegetarian food items were being prepared in three hostels on the campus.
KGMU officials told PTI that although the hostel mess does not serve non-vegetarian meals, the university will check whether these items are prepared by students on campus or in the hostel.
“Non-vegetarian food is not prepared at KGMU. Tenders are being floated for food services on campus and in hostels. The menu is fixed and does not include non-vegetarian items,” said an official requesting anonymity.
Even egg preparations are not part of the hostel’s official menu, something not everyone on campus agrees on, a KGMU official said.
“Aren’t we a medical university? Should doctors also stop recommending eggs to patients who have no problems eating them? Should we not impose dietary restrictions and eating habits while ignoring the preferences of students who represent all of India?” a senior faculty member asked.
When contacted, KGMU spokesperson Dr Kumar Shantanu told PTI that KGMU Vice Chancellor Dr Sonia Nityanand has formed a task force under the VC to address the issues pointed out by the Governor.
“Non-vegetarian food is not cooked or served in the 18 restaurants run by the KGMU administration. There are two or three private restaurants, run by a group of students on a cooperative basis, where non-vegetarian food items are prepared.
However, following the governor’s remarks, a strict advisory has been issued to them to avoid cooking non-vegetarian food.”
However, the official clarified that there will not be any restrictions on students and hostel guests from ordering non-vegetarian items from outside.
On June 15, during the third meeting of the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences here, Governor Patel reportedly questioned the need to serve non-vegetarian items twice a week in the hostel mess.
When contacted for a response, RMLIMS officials said that though the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) hostels currently serve non-vegetarian food twice a week, the same has been decided by largely student-led committees.
“The committees include a few faculty representatives, but they are largely student-led,” one official said, stressing that the institute does not decide the menu.
However, RMLIMS officials indicated that the institute, which has three hostels for around 800 UG and PG students, will look into the issue afresh soon.
“I have informed the Chancellor about the matter, so it will be discussed on priority,” an official said.
