From October 15 to October 23, during the ongoing Navratri festivities, no non-vegetarian (chicken) will be served in the mess of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, stated an email from the student council to the students of the institute on October 16, Monday. However, students will be free to eat non-veg in other areas of the mess, including taking it from the canteen.
As per the email, which EdexLive has access to, this decision was made in response to a survey conducted on October 15 at 10.20 am by the student council. "We have observed that during the Navratri, many students prefer not to have non-vegetarian food in the mess. To ensure that we cater to your preferences appropriately, we kindly request to fill out the attached form. Deadline to fill the form is 8 PM today," stated the email sent to the students of IIT Ropar from the student council.
The survey was launched to understand if students would like to stop eating non-veg during the month of Navratri, a Hindu festival observed in honour of Goddess Durga.
In the same email was a Google Form link which led to the survey.
Late evening of the same day, it was revealed via another email in the same thread that 454 responses were received, out of which, 74.9% of students agreed that they should refrain from eating chicken while 25.1% did not want to do so.
In about an hour on the same day, the survey was re-opened. "As many students wont able to fill form, I am again opening form till 11:59 am..The final decision would be taken after that," stated the email.
As many as 663 responses were received this time around, 72.5% wanted to eat only veg food while 27.5% were against it.
At last, the email declared, "As per majority decision, we wont be having chicken this week. Guys I hope everyone can understand and can adjust for 1 week."
A member of the student council confirmed that the mess will not be serving any non-vegetarian food and this decision has been arrived at independently and the institute does not have anything to do with it. "Only based on the survey and what the students wished, this decision was taken. Non-vegetarian food will continue to be served," he said.
A student of IIT Ropar, on the condition of anonymity, reveals that this 'only-veg during Navratri' decision was also implemented when a few students were still at the transit campus last year. Now that they are on the main campus, this move has been made.
The student also reveals that the buzz around separate dining spaces for vegetarians and non-vegetarians has been doing the rounds for a while now. "In fact, the students contesting elections mentioned in their manifestos that they will advocate for separate dining spaces," claims the student.
The provision for "fasting food" (food eaten during Navratri) has always been there, but it is only this year that they have decided to stop serving non-vegetarian food in the mess. "Students who eat chicken mind their own business and people who eat paneer eat that. So even if during Navratri that system continues, 27.5% would still eat meat and mind their own business. why should anyone stop it?" the student asks.
It may be recalled that at IIT Bombay hostel mess, separate dining spaces have been designated. A student, who sat with non-veg food at a table designated for vegetarians only, was fined Rs 10,000.
IIT Hyderabad also proposed the inclusion of a separate veg-only dining hall in one of its messes.
