As the fear of COVID-19 sets in, Indian universities have asked hosteller to vacate and leave for home. This has landed the students into a dilemma — do they listen to the authorities and vacate or listen to the government directive and the Prime Minister and stay indoors. Women hosteller of the Delhi University, who have been protesting for abolition of hostel curfew are also among them. They also alleged that the residents of the male hostels are not being forced to move while they have been told to vacate as soon as possible. The men have not been asked to vacate immediately.
The students had said that they will adhere to the lockdown directives and will not venture out. "We had written to the Vice-Chancellor stating that we will remain indoors and no one will be allowed inside — no visitors, parents or even students who are not currently inside. The mess workers had agreed to cook for us at NESHW as they too won't be able to leave for home. There are very less trains running and it is not safe to travel either," said Amisha Nanda, a resident of Ambedkar Ganguly Students' House for Women. "But the authorities have given us only 24 hours to vacate. They even said that if we can't go home we should go to the State Houses. But they will stop mess services at the Undergraduate House for Girls from tomorrow," said Amisha.
The women also alleged that the male students are not being served an ultimatum even though the notice is for every hostel and not just for girls. But when we spoke to some of the male students they said that the hostels are being evacuated gradually and will probably be empty by the weekend. The authorities could not be contacted. This copy will be updated as and when they revert.
