Students at JNU have accused wardens of certain hostels of authoritarian attitude after a series of instances,including one in which they were fined for keeping their guests footwear outside the room. This particular incident took place at the Shipra hostel,when students who had invited guests were asked to pay fines ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000,students said. Some people were fined for removing shoes outside their rooms,some for bringing guests. Why should students put up with such an authoritarian attitude?, asked Swati,a resident of the hostel. Students claimed that forms that need to be submitted to the hostel to inform about visitors in residents room were unavailable,yet they were fined. At the same hostel,Internet via cable is not allowed. They (hostel authorities) say that the wires spoil the aesthetics of the hostel and that we should use data cards instead, said a resident. Associate Dean Of Students,Sachhidanand Sinha rubbished the complaints,saying,They are free to have cable Internet as long as the wires are not hanging. It is about security,not aesthetics. Sinha also said the university has a deal with MTNL,under which students are provided high-speed data cards at subsidised rates. When that is available,why do they want wired Internet?, he asked. On the issue of students being fined for asking their guests to take off shoes outside the rooms,Sinha said the matter was only about encroaching public space. Residents of Yamuna hostel alleged that their warden imposed time restrictions on entering the premises and enforced switching off the lights in the rooms. On certain occasions,she also threatened students of dire consequences if they did not adhere to the rules of the hostel,claimed a resident. Students said a complaint was filed with the university Vice-Chancellor nearly a year ago,after which a committee was set up to look into the matter. Apparently the committee has submitted its report,but no action has been taken by the authorities yet, said Om Prasad,a Social Sciences student.
