‘No segregation of seats in dining hall’: IIT-Kharagpur issues advisory

After an email circulated among residents of the BR Ambedkar Hall of Residence at IIT Kharagpur mandated “compliance with vegetarian and non-vegetarian seating arrangements” in the dining hall, the institute said that no such directive had been officially issued.

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.”

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.”