MS University students oppose mandatory hostel mess fees; Call for bandh on Monday

Vadodara: Students at MS University are opposing the decision to make hostel mess fees mandatory for all residents. While the university administration claims that a survey showed 50% of students supported the mandatory fees to improve food quality, students deny that any such survey was conducted.

Students have called for a university bandh on Monday in protest. They assert that no survey was carried out and, even if it was, very few students were aware of it. In contrast, the students conducted their own survey of 447 hostel residents through a Google form. According to their results, 99% favored the old system of paying for meals as they ate, with only 1% supporting mandatory mess fees.

Partha Pandya of the Hostel Unity Group stated, “After the agitation, restrictions were imposed on the WhatsApp group so that only the admin can send messages. Forms did not reach all students for the survey. Many students did not participate due to fears of threats from the warden.”

The Vishwa Hindu Youth and Cultural Association has given an ultimatum to withdraw the case against 200 students and called for a university bandh on Monday. They warned that if anything happens during the bandh, all responsibility will lie with the Vice Chancellor.

MP Dr. Hemang Joshi expressed his displeasure about the police complaint against the students. He criticized the Vice Chancellor for filing a rioting case against 200 students for a loss of Rs. 2000, stating, “These are our students, not criminals. Booking 200 students for rioting is not proper. However, I have faith in the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of State for Home Affairs that they will not take any steps that would spoil the careers of the students.” He appealed to the students to maintain restraint and avoid actions that might distress the Vice Chancellor’s family. DeshGujarat