JNU Mess Row: Veg vs. Non-Veg Sparks Fresh Student Clash
A simmering dispute over separate eating arrangements for vegetarian and non-vegetarian students at JNU’s Mahi-Mandavi hostel has erupted into a full-blown clash, pitting left-leaning student groups against their counterparts. The bone of contention: a voluntary segregation of dining areas, introduced to cater to the dietary preferences of students.
Left-wing student organisations have vehemently opposed the arrangement, accusing the administration of succumbing to pressure and creating unnecessary divisions within the hostel. Their dissatisfaction is particularly acute during the ongoing Shravan month, a period of heightened religious observance for many.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), however, has thrown its weight behind the vegetarian students, citing religious sentiments and concerns over dietary restrictions during sacred periods. The ABVP has threatened protests, accusing the JNU administration of inaction and indifference to the concerns of a significant section of the student body.
The situation highlights a growing divide within the JNU campus, with accusations of religious discrimination flying thick and fast. The administration’s handling of the situation will be closely scrutinised, as it sets a precedent for future accommodation of diverse dietary needs within the university’s residential spaces. The upcoming protests promise further escalation of the conflict, potentially impacting the academic environment at JNU.
