After a severe water shortage that lasted two months, the residents of the Undergraduate Hostel for Girls (UGHG) decided to take matters into their own hands. On the evening of 23 April, women from the hostel took to the streets to protest the crisis that culminated in unbearable living conditions and illnesses – immediately before the semester exams.
The hostel administration, led by provost Ritu Kakkar, refused to meet the protesting students. The women broke curfew and marched to the Provost’s residence, demanding action. Kakkar finally met the students after midnight and Delhi Government Water Minister, Kapil Mishra, who arrived soon after declared that the hostel administration’s negligence was ‘inhuman.’ The girls were promised that they wouldn’t be targeted for participating in the protests.
However, the ‘ringleaders’ of the protest were in for a nasty shock. The administration issued letters to the parents of some of the students who participated, which accused these women of having a “bad” impact on other students. The letters were infuriatingly worded, suggesting that the administration had no idea where these women were between 5 pm and 2.30 am.
The Quint spoke to a student whose parents received the letter from the administration and she was understandably frustrated.
I called the administration and asked where I was that night. It is impossible that I would be out so late at night unless it was an emergency or a protest. They sent the letter to my parents without even consulting me. My parents are worried that I will be denied a seat when I apply to the university hostels again. The hostel has no regard for our privacy; housekeepers regularly barge in, conduct ‘checks’ and handle our belongings without our permission. Living here has been very difficult.
We also contacted Provost Ritu Kakkar, who was unavailable for comment.
Student movements like Pinjra Tod weren’t about to take the hostel administration’s patronising, unfair complaint lying down. The students, betrayed by the very authorities who promised them that there would be no consequences to face, took to the streets once again.
Following the protest, the Delhi University administration has asked for two days to look into the matter. Kapil Mishra has taken to social media to express his solidarity with these women.
The Delhi Commission for Women has registered a complaint and will begin its investigation into the matter.
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