Kolkata: A section of Jadavpur University hostel boarders demanded the hostel gates remain open all night, leading to chaos at the JU administrative building that continued throughout Friday. However, interim VC Bhaskar Gupta made it clear the university would not bow down to the inappropriate demand.
A section of hostel boarders from the New Block and Old PG hostels locked the gate of the VC's office on Thursday, demanding their own entry and exit be made flexible, according to their choice, by keeping the doors of the terrace open for free access. Most among these boarders were first-year students. Demands that the first-year hostel boarders submitted to the university authority included free access to the hostels, allowing them the highest freedom of entry and exit from hostel rooms at any time, free access to the rooftop, and resolution of issues related to lights, fans, water, bathrooms, and water-coolers within seven days.
Interim VC Gupta refused to accept these demands, and said, "It was a criminal offence to lock the VC's office. We are always ready to speak to the students but the hostel segregation was made following UGC guidelines after the unfortunate incident on campus in 2023. So, there is no question of accepting free movement to other hostels or time relaxation for entry-exit. However, we would consider the demand for infrastructural development."
The first-year students who were allotted rooms at the main hostel were shifted to the hostels on campus after a ragging-related death of a first-year student in 2023. A section on campus emphasised that these arrangements were made to protect first-year students.
Stay updated with breaking news, bank holidays and upcoming public holidays in march.