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Several PhD researchers at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar began a sit-in protest on Tuesday, demanding hostel accommodation until completion of their academic programmes after the administration locked their rooms, citing new hostel rules.
The protest, organised by the Students Federation of India (SFI), was against the sudden implementation of rules that barred research students with off-campus research centres from staying in hostels.
“We were allocated hostel facilities when we enrolled, with some having admissions from December 2023. Suddenly, the university issued an order evicting us,” Arun Mate, a PhD student, told The Indian Express.
The PhD students have been residing in university hostels for over 18 months, with some having been there since December 2023. Under new regulations notified last week, the university stated that students conducting research at affiliated centres outside the main campus are not eligible for hostel facilities. The development is likely to impact more than 15 research students.
“Our research centres do not have essential facilities like hostels and libraries,” Mate pointed out. “We need the hostel facility for a focused academic environment, which is not possible with unaffordable accommodation options away from the university,” he added.
The affected students argued that applying new rules retrospectively to already-enrolled students was unfair. They also contended that policy changes should only affect future admissions, and not disrupt ongoing academic pursuits.
Responding to the protest, University Hostel Rector Satish Dange told The Indian Express, “Hostel facilities were initially provided when students were pursuing MPhil degrees from university departments. The facility was extended temporarily on a guest charge basis when they worked at the university’s libraries.”
“But now they are researching at university-affiliated centres away from the main campus, making them ineligible for hostel accommodation. And prior notice was also served on them,” Dange added.
The protesters said the sudden eviction was disruptive to their academic progress, particularly for female researchers, who face additional safety and accommodation challenges.
