Students: Denied hostel as we protested autonomy

New Delhi: About hundred students of St. Stephen’s College on Thursday night alleged that they have not been granted hostel accommodation for objecting and protesting against the college’s decision to apply for autonomy.

In an official statement, the students claimed that residence has been allotted to students on a yearly basis after an interview. They even alleged that their opinion on autonomy issue became the primary criterion to determine one’s admission into college residence.

“It appears, from the list released on May 4, that the students who have gone vocal about their objection of the granting of autonomous status to the college and questioned the autocratic functioning of the present administration were purposely not granted residence. Others got hostel admission,” it said.

However, as a mark of protest, the students’ boycotted the hostel mess, where 360 out of 400 hostel residents boycotted the dinner.

According to a student, who failed to get the accommodation, when students reached out to the associate dean of residence for an explanation, he said, “the heavens were not kind to you” adding, “Discipline is the primary criterion and the administration will grant residence to whoever it likes.”

The students said that the college official asked them how could they expect residence after protesting outside the principal’s office. “A large number of seats remain unoccupied as of now,” they said. Last month, the students and teachers staged several protests against the administration’s alleged “autocratic” decision to apply for autonomy from Delhi University.

“Residence, seen by the college as a privilege, has been problematic throughout, because of the discretionary powers that are exercised. There are still no clear criteria or regulations outlining the basis for allotment of seats,” the statement added.