A month after viral email, IIT-Kharagpur clarifies: ‘No segregation of veg, non-veg seats in dining hall’

In an advisory dated September 7, the Office of the Chairman stated: “It is hereby advised to all the Halls of Residence that the segregation of mess food in terms of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Jain and other categories should be done only at the levels of preparation and distribution. There must not be any such segregation for seating in the dining hall.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, IIT Director Dr Suman Chakraborty said on Wednesday: “There has been no such directive issued by the institute ever. Such segregation of sitting arrangements has never been institutionalised, and it goes against the institutional policy of equality. If in some pockets, some persons have made some localised arrangements, it is by their own preference, and the institute has not provided any directive for that. Rather, we clarify that there is no such directive and people are encouraged to have their food together at the same place. The preparation and distribution of different types of food are different, and the segregation is kept only up to that level.”

According to officials, the mail was circulated last month to 1,300 residents following certain complaints. The email, written by Nilanjan Paul, general secretary (mess) of B R Ambedkar Hall, said: “In recent days, complaints have been increasing about boarders occupying vegetarian tables while eating eggs, fish, or chicken. This goes against the mess seating rules and shows a lack of respect for others’ food preferences, affecting a harmonious environment. All boarders are instructed to strictly follow the seating rules.”

Former students and faculty say such divisions mark a significant shift from IIT Kharagpur’s historical practices, when students with different dietary preferences routinely shared tables.

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