Denied hostel, Dalit student begins indefinite hunger strike
LUCKNOW: A Dalit student of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), who started living in a makeshift ‘tent’ on the campus since September 25 this year, went on an indefinite hunger strike from Tuesday as the varsity allegedly did not provide him hostel accommodation.
Rohit Singh, a first year student of MA (Education), claimed that he came from a humble background and stood third in the entrance test but the university administration refused to entertain his application for hostel allotment. He also claimed there were still vacant rooms in the hostel, yet varsity denied him accommodation.
A university official said Rihit was denied hostel on a justified ground. “As per the university rule, if a student had availed hostel facility while pursuing any degree in the past, he/she cannot avail the facility for the second time while pursuing another degree. Rohit is one such student,” said the BBAU official.
Rohit said he had enrolled in MSc (applied chemistry) course at the university in 2015. “But I had to leave it after completing the first year as my father met with a serious accident. At that time, I was allotted a hostel. But this year, university officials said that old students will not be allotted a hostel room,” he said.
Rohit said the varsity administration hold a grudge against Dalit students and harassed them by not allotting them hostel accommodation. He said that the university declared a list of students who were allotted hostels. “One main and three waiting lists were declared but my name was not in any of the lists,” he said.
“My father is a poor farmer in Lakhimpur Kheri and I have three brothers and a sister. Being the eldest among siblings, I now take tuitions to fund my expenses. I cannot afford a rented accommodation. Pitching a tent was the only option left before me,” he said.
Rohit is living on a small cemented platform on the campus and has put up a huge poster of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, whom he regards as his role model and source of inspiration.