IIT Bombay imposes Rs 10,000 fine on students who protested against 'veg-only' mess tables

A few days after some students of Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay protested against designated 'Veg-only' space in hostel mess, institute has imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on one of students and started inquiry about or students who were involved in protest.  fine amount will be deducted from student’s Semester Mess vance which is paid at beginning of semester.

“This act was a premeditated attempt to disrupt peace and harmony within mess, in defiance of vice provided by Associate Dean SA (Students’ Affairs)…” res minutes of meeting of mess council of hostel 12, 13 and 14 held online on October 1 following which decision to impose penalty has been taken.

What was issue?

In month of July, some students raised issue of alleged food discrimination at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B). Following this, on September 27, its Mess Council has said six tables in a common canteen of three hostels will be designated for "vegetarian food only".

Compliance is crucial, it said, noting that any violation identified by mess team (Council) will attract proper action and imposition of appropriate penalties. “Such violations will also be considered in disciplinary action, as y disrupt harmony, we aim to maintain in our dining facilities,” said an email sent on Wednesday by Mess Council to students of hostels 12, 13 and 14.

email said "some people can't resist view and smell of non-veg food during ir dining" and this may create health issues as well. “Our primary goal is to ensure that every resident enjoys a very comfortable and pleasant dining experience. To dress this and create a more inclusive environment, it has been decided to designate only six tables exclusively for vegetarian food,” email said. se tables will be marked clearly with signage stating, “This place is designated for vegetarian food ONLY,” it said.

Few students h protested during dinner and ate non-vegetarian food at one of six tables designated for veg-only food which h caused unrest in mess. Complaints were discussed about unruly behaviour and flouting of mess rules by a few students during dinner on September 28, a day after declaration of designated ‘veg-only’ space by mess council of se three hostels which share a combined mess. It was unanimously agreed that behaviour of this student was “contrary to inclusive and peaceful atmosphere at Hostel 12, 13 and 14 mess,” minutes of meeting res.