Delhi University women’s hostel residents hold sit-in protest over 'forced evictions', 'extortion'

NEW DELHI: Women residents of the University Hostel for Women (UHW) at Delhi University staged a late-night sit-in protest, alleging “forced evictions” and “extortion” by the hostel administration, according to a statement issued by the All India Students’ Association (AISA).The protest began around 9:30 pm on Thursday and continued past midnight, with students sitting on campus roads amid ongoing semester examinations and preparations for the NEET exam.In its statement, AISA alleged that students had been “pushed to the brink” over the past week due to actions taken by the hostel administration, including disruptions to basic facilities. The student body claimed that water supply had been cut off in parts of two hostel blocks, while chairs were removed from the reading room, hampering students’ exam preparations.AISA further alleged that the hostel Provost was conducting a “forced eviction drive” despite students having already paid hostel fees in advance for June and July. "This institutional apathy has crossed all limits of human dignity," AISA said in its statement. The association also claimed that following a mobilisation on May 16, the Provost had given a "deceptive verbal assurance" to restore facilities and extend the residency deadline, but later "backtracked" and issued a "punitive extortion order" demanding Rs 450 per day from students who continued to stay in the hostel.AISA has demanded the immediate resignation of the UHW Provost, restoration of round-the-clock water supply, and an unconditional extension of hostel stay without any financial penalties for students. "AISA stands unyieldingly with the resisting residents and demands the immediate resignation of the UHW Provost, a concrete written guarantee for the restoration of 24/7 water supply, and an unconditional extension of the hostel stay without any financial penalties!" a statement read.(With agency inputs)