Non-veg food not to be served during Navratri at SAU, students protest

The notice, according to students, shows that the administration has chosen to avoid confrontation by curtailing non-vegetarian meals during the nine-day Navratri festival in advance.

The SAU media relations officer did not respond to calls made by The Indian Express. (Source: File)

A notice that was pasted outside the South Asian University (SAU) mess this week, announcing that non-vegetarian food would not be served from the beginning of Navratri until October 2, has led to students protesting the decision, saying that it reflects an attempt to impose religious practices on an international campus.

Students opposing the decision said the order undermines dietary choice and excludes those who rely on non-vegetarian meals in the hostel mess. “This is not about food alone. It is about enforcing a particular cultural and religious norm in a university meant to represent India’s diversity and accept students from all cultures,” a first-year Masters student said.

The notice, according to students, shows that the administration has chosen to avoid confrontation by curtailing non-vegetarian meals during the nine-day Navratri festival in advance.

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The SAU media relations officer did not respond to calls made by The Indian Express.

The controversy comes months after a violent altercation on Maha Shivratri in February, when the serving of fish curry in the mess had led to a confrontation between student groups. Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had objected to non-vegetarian food being served on Maha Shivratri and entered the dining hall to stop it. A clash followed with members of the mess committee, during which a woman student alleged she was manhandled. The incident had prompted SAU to order an internal inquiry.

In March, SAU had expelled Bangladeshi doctoral scholar Sudipto Das, citing misconduct, and fined mess secretary Yashada Sawant Rs 5,000. The administration had earlier said the action was taken to restore order.

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