JNU Students’ Union protests against food-based segregation in hostel, slams ‘divisive measure’ of ABVP
While JNUSU accused the ABVP of attempting to “saffronise” the campus, the student party said it was not its decision.
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Elections to the JNUSU were stalled following the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020 (File Photo)A row erupted at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after allegations of food-based segregation surfaced at the Mahi-Mandavi Hostel, prompting a sharp reaction from the students’ union and a denial from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
On Wednesday, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) issued a public statement condemning what it termed a “disturbing incident of food-based segregation,” claiming that vegetarian and non-vegetarian students were asked to sit separately in the hostel mess. The statement described the move as a “divisive measure”, and accused the ABVP of attempting to “saffronise” the campus.
JNUSU called the incident a violation of hostel norms, and part of a “larger effort by ABVP to saffronise the campus and disrupt its inclusive culture.”
“JNU celebrates plurality, diversity, and democratic coexistence. We strongly reject this politics of division and hate. No food policing! No hate! JNU is for everyone!” the statement, signed by JNUSU President Nitish Kumar, Vice-President Manisha, and General Secretary Munteha Fatima, read.
JNUSU said the hostel’s senior warden met with its members, and expressed complete surprise about the incident. “He categorically stated that no such divisive measure had been brought to his knowledge prior to our report,” the union said, adding that the warden assured them of an inquiry into the matter.
According to JNUSU, the warden will investigate whether the mess secretaries, mess manager, or hostel president were involved in enforcing the alleged segregation.
However, the ABVP’s JNU unit has rejected these allegations. Speaking to The Indian Express, ABVP JNU President Rajeshwar Kant Dubey said the decision to separate seating arrangements in the mess was taken informally by students themselves, not by the organisation.
“It is not a move by the party. It was a decision taken by the students of this particular mess. A few vegetarian students felt uncomfortable, hence they decided to sit separately from non-vegetarian students. There is no issue per se in this. JNUSU is exaggerating it, and making it into an issue,” said Dubey.
“This was in the interest of freedom of choice of every student,” Dubey added.
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