A day after the announcement of designated 'veg-only' tables by one of the mess councils at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, some students staged a symbolic protest by eating non-vegetarian food at one of the six tables, reserved for vegetarians, at dinner time on Thursday. According to the protesting students, by designating tables for vegetarian students, the mess council is making such segregation official, which was “unnecessary when anyway there was mutual understanding among students”. “We oppose this official segregation. In a way the administration is dividing students in its so-called attempt to encourage inclusivity,” said one of the protesting students. On Wednesday, an email by the mess council of hostel 12, 13 and 14, which have a combined mess, had sparked controversy as it designated six tables where only veg food will be taken by anyone. Stating that “there is no doubt that there are some people who cannot resist the view and smell of non-veg food during their dining. this may create health issues as well,” the email underlined that the decision is to “create a more inclusive and peaceful dining experience for all.” The move instead led to a protest by a few students, which was opposed by a different set of students causing unrest in the mess. According to students, there were seven-eight of them who ate non-veg food at the 'veg-only' table in protest. “We had to buy the food separately as the mess menu offers one non-vegetarian dish only on Fridays. On other days, it may be available but one has to buy it. This anyway reduces daily consumption of non-vegetarian food. Additionally, there is more than two hours' window to eat any meal so that there is no crowding and everyone gets a comfortable space to eat, based on food choices. We question the objective behind such official segregation of the eating space,” said a protesting student, adding that among the protesters included vegetarians too who participated in solidarity. The student continued, “This indicates that the decision was taken without consulting all students.” Standing in solidarity with the protesting students, Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), an informal student collective active on campus of IIT Bombay, tweeted, “We condemn the email enforcing this decision where the “sight and smell of meat” is termed “unbearable” and “causing health issues” and calling this decision as “inclusive practice” is a clear example of caste apartheid.” The institute administration did not respond to queries.
