Koti Women's University Students Protest Hostel Conditions

The protest, which began in the late morning, drew attention to the absence of clean drinking water, broken toilets and the presence of snakes, rats, and stray dogs inside hostel premises. Students said they waited for hours under the sun without food and hoped to meet the VC but there was no response until the media arrived. Police personnel appeared around the same time.

A student from the university, speaking anonymously, said, “It was a hot day and we waited till 2 pm. There was no response. The media and the police came around the same time. The police said they were called by the principal. Until then, they didn’t ask us anything. Then suddenly they came out to speak. We told them to answer our questions. Answer the media.”

She added that officials agreed to inspect the hostels only after the media arrived. “The hostel lacks basic facilities. There is no drinking water. There have been snake bites, rat bites, dog bites. Every time something happens, the administration tells us to stay quiet.”

Students also alleged that BC hostel residents were initially told they would have to vacate the hostel in May. Only after sustained questioning did they learn that they could remain by showing hall tickets.

In a statement released by the students, they described the hostel conditions as “inhumane” and accused the administration of trying to silence them through “mental harassment and police intervention.” The statement said, “We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for basic human rights. Is that too much for a student to expect from an educational institution?”