Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The protest by students of the Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) over the campus canteen and mess system entered its third day on Tuesday, with students continuing their sit-in at the university’s administrative gate. One student is currently on an indefinite hunger strike.
The students are protesting against the proposed increase in monthly mess charges and what they allege is poor food quality. According to the protesters, the monthly mess fee was earlier around ₹3,000 and is now proposed to be increased to Rs 3,700–Rs 3,800.
Students said they have no objection to paying a reasonable fee if the quality of food improves, but alleged that the existing mess system lacks transparency and adequate student representation.
The agitation began on Sunday, August 23, when hundreds of students joined the protest. Two students, Ankit Kumar and Mrityunjay Kumar, had initially started an indefinite hunger strike. The protest and hunger strike were temporarily suspended on Sunday night following an assurance from the Vice-Chancellor that the students’ concerns would be discussed.
A detailed meeting was subsequently held on Monday under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sarang Medhekar. However, no agreement could be reached on the students’ key demands, including keeping the monthly mess fee at ₹3,000, providing free meals for seven days if food quality deteriorates, and introducing a coupon-based system.
The university administration has linked the proposed increase in mess charges to rising prices of raw materials and efforts to improve food quality. Another round of discussions was scheduled for Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the protesting students have also alleged that the private security chief threatened and abused some students during the agitation. They have demanded action on the issue and a permanent solution to the mess-related problems.
The students have continued their sit-in at the administrative gate, maintaining that they will not withdraw the agitation until their demands are addressed.
The university administration has said that it is considering the students’ legitimate concerns and is making efforts to resolve the matter through dialogue
