The protesting students at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar alleged that the university administration refused to provide them with basic facilities like food and water in hostels. Today the students installed a temporary kitchen at the picket site to cook their food. Meanwhile, the administration denied the allegations and said that the action taken was part of the regular processes related to the summer holidays in the premises. The protesting students alleged that food and water supply in all hostels were stopped on 26 June. He claimed that the girls living in hostels were locked inside the hostel without food or water last night. He said that a girl needed an ambulance due to deteriorating health amidst the scorching heat. He also informed that food was not provided throughout the day in boys hostels. This morning, the students marched to the Dean of Students Welfare (DSW) office demanding accountability. He claimed that the library was closed during this period, while it is usually open even during the holidays. Later during the day, he took out a rally, playing a plate and a spoon to highlight his demands.
He also sent a memorandum to the Chief Secretary of Haryana and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging that the university administration has violated the basic human rights by depriving him of food, water and education facilities.
Dr. Rajbir Garg, Director of Research Director and Student Coordination Committee, said that the academic session 2024-25 has officially terminated and is going on more than a month. He said, “As per the university policy, hostels are vacated for maintenance and renovation at this time. It is a regular, pre-determined process approved in the April 9, 2021 meeting and was depicted in the academic calendar and student book.”
He clarified that notices to vacate the hostel were issued on June 2, before any protests began, refuting the claim that the closure of the hostel was associated with the students demonstrations. He said that mess services were also suspended during the summer vacation as most of the employees returned to their home states. The reason for the closure of the library was the annual physical verification of the resources that were required to temporarily shut down.
He said that parents hand over their daughters to take care of the university and keep students in empty hostels without educational activities are neither practical nor safe. He also reported that some “unknown persons” were seen near hostels at night, which increased security concerns.
