EFLU students protest for opening of hostels

"The administration is not opening hostels even though a large number of students have already signed and submitted a petition to the same, followed by a mass email campaign. But the admin didn't pay heed to any of our demands," said a representative of the students' action committee.

The committee conducted a survey among the MA final year students and research scholars regarding the situation of studying from home. "A consistent good internet connectivity is a huge issue for over 45 per cent of the surveyed students. Around 75 per cent students responded that they want to come back to the hostels irrespective of the online or offline mode of teaching," said the committee.

Among the 184 surveyed students close to 30 per cent of students responded that they face abusive situations at home causing mental distress and depression. "Many students have no privacy and have to participate in household work," said the committee.

Also, the respondent of the survey said that lack of access to books, research material and resources minimized the scope of their learning. "Students staying in villages and remote areas have internet and electricity issues," they added.

During the protest, a few students were called for discussion by the administration. Sources said that the students were assured that if not all the administration is ready to call in some of the students who need to be prioritised. "The admin has asked the students to make a list of 20 per cent students who need be called back on an urgent basis, and later in a phase-wise manner it will call back the remaining students," said the committee.

The university campus houses around 1,100 research scholars, postgraduate and graduate students. The students' representatives are now working on a list of students who need to come back to the hostels.