Almost two weeks have passed since the new batch of students joined the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Most of them have come from places far away, to study in one of the best universities in the country. But unfortunately, many of them still do not have a roof over their head, owing to what the Students' Union calls an administerial delay in allotting hostels. Apart from that, the JNU Students' Union alleges that JNU is currently facing a hostel crunch and do not have enough rooms or documentaries to accommodate all the freshmen.
Anand Yashodharan is a first-year MA student in the university. Even though he took his admission on June 13, he hasn't been allotted a hostel. "Five friends and I live in a PhD scholar's room. His thesis submission date is around the corner, so obviously, our presence is inconvenient for him. But, we do not have any other option or a place to go," says Anand, who hails from Kerala. At the same time, many students have been found staying at guest accommodations outside the campus, paying a hefty rent.
"With 3500 new students joining the campus, we are witnessing one of the most severe hostel crises in recent times," says JNUSU General Secretary Aejaz Ahmad Rather. "We've been running from pillar to post, asking the administration to increase the number of rooms and dormitories to accommodate the new students. We have been given assurance that by the end of this week there will be hostel allotment for both single-seaters and double seaters. The administration needs to accommodate all the new students immediately and hostel lists for all," he says.
He adds that more than 700 JNU freshmen have not been allotted hostels and do not have a place to live. "At this juncture that the JNU administration has completely ignored the infrastructural requirements of the campus in the few past years. The Vice-Chancellor has spent crores on the 'beautification' of campus installing lamp posts and flower pots while neglecting hostels, classrooms and reading spaces," Aejaz adds.
The JNU administration is yet to respond. The copy will be updated upon receipt of their their response.
