The Delhi Commission for Women has asked the Registrar of the Delhi University to send a report on action taken against a complaint of harassment put forward by the students staying at the North Eastern Students' House for Women, one or DUs many hostels. The Commission also asked the Registrar to report on what measures are being taken to keep the students safe and comfortable in these horrid times. The letter was sent a day after a notification was issued from the Proctor's office assuring the girls that they will not be evicted and the university will ensure their safety inside the premises.
Earlier, the Provost of the NESHW was accused of racial discrimination against the 13 students residing in the hostel. She was also accused of threatening them to leave by May 31. "They cited the reason that the contract of the mess workers will be over May 31 but the question is, why can't they renew the contract?" asked a student who did not want to be identified. "By taking this step they would not only have made the girls shelterless and subjected them to danger but also would have rendered the workers unemployed during this time that is already taking a toll on them since they were earlier also not getting fully paid," she said.
The students had complained to authorities and the Proctor wrote back assuring that no one will be evicted. "It's seriously disheartening to see that the hostel authorities themselves are enjoying the quarantine in their luxurious houses and asking the students to go on an death parade," a student said while commenting on the initial decision of the Provost. "She even called a resident and said that she'll herself come inside their rooms to throw them out and with respect to those who had left long back and their stuff is there, she said that she is going to throw that out too," added the student.
The Registrar of the university will now have to answer to the Delhi Women's Commission, who have said that according to the complaint they had received, students "have been subjected to racial discrimination, harassment and insensitivity by the Provost of NESHW". The letter went on to add that the Provost had kept the internet room locked, denying the students basic amenities. "The commission has taken a very serious view of the matter," wrote Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the Commission. "Considering the gravity of the matter, please provide the information latest by May 15," the notice further read.
