‘Veg-only space student council decision’: IIT Bombay digs in heels

'Student fined went ahead with protest despite being advised against it'

Written by Pallavi Smart

Mumbai | Updated: October 8, 2023 08:24 PM IST

4 min read

Referring to the protest at the hostel mess on September 28, where a few students had their non-vegetarian dinner at tables reserved for vegetarians only, the email said, “There were reports of some students deliberately spilling non-veg food to cause discomfort to fellow students. Such provocative and insensitive actions are not acceptable.” (File)

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In a first official communication to students from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, amid the controversy over designated ‘veg-only’ space; the administration has stated that the student fined by the mess-council went ahead with the protest despite being advised against it, “leading to a conflict”. It has also validated the decision of designated veg-only space by stating that it was taken by the student council of hostel 12, 13 and 14, which is “an elected decision-making body of the respective hostel and represents students at large.”

On Thursday, an email was sent out to all students on campus by the office of Dean Student Affairs. Titled ‘regarding reports on conflict in the mess-hostel 12, 13 and 14 was jointly signed by Dean of student affairs (SA), Professor Surya Doolla, and associate dean (SA), Atul Srivastava. “It is important to note that unlike some other institutions, IIT Bombay does not have any separate vegetarian mess and does not plan to have one in the future,” states the email.

Also Read | IIT-Bombay imposes Rs 10,000 fine on students who protested against ‘veg-only’ space

As per the email, one student had written to the office of Dean SA expressing objection to the decision of designated veg-only space in the combined mess of hostel 12, 13 and 14. He also indicated that he would protest by taking his non-vegetarian dinner seated at the table designated for vegetarians. “Within a few minutes a reply was sent asking the student not to indulge in such activity which could lead to disharmony, and to wait for a formal meeting to discuss the issue the following week with all concerned,” states the email.

Stating that since the decision of earmarking a few tables (6 out of 129) for veg-only food was taken by the elected council, the email informed students that wardens of these hostels had been requested to take a look into this issue. “Indiscipline in any form leading to disruption of harmony in the hostels will not be tolerated,” it added.

The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), an informal student collective on campus of IIT Bombay however denied the administration’s claim of “deliberate spilling over of non-veg food” stating that their representatives were present during the protest. “The mess council that imposed the fine has 4 faculties and 3 students – how is it an elected body?” questions the statement issued by APPSC on Thursday evening following the email from the administration.