DU Women Hostel Residents Hold Midnight Sit-In Over Alleged Forced Eviction and Daily Penalty Demands
New Delhi: Residents of the University Hostel for Women (UHW) at Delhi University staged a late-night protest on Thursday, voicing strong objections to what they described as forced eviction attempts and extortion by the hostel administration.
The demonstration began around 9:30 pm and extended past midnight, with students gathering outside the hostel gate, raising slogans, and sitting on the campus streets even as semester examinations continued. In video footage from the scene, participants were heard repeatedly chanting for the hostel warden to come out and address their concerns.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) issued a statement supporting the protesters, claiming that residents had been pushed to their limits over the past week by administrative decisions affecting basic facilities. According to AISA, water supply was disrupted in sections of two hostel blocks, and chairs were removed from the common reading room, hampering students’ preparation for ongoing exams.
The student group further alleged that the Provost initiated a forced eviction drive despite students having already paid their hostel fees in advance for June and July. AISA described the situation as exceeding limits of human dignity and accused the administration of institutional apathy.
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Following an earlier mobilisation on May 16, AISA said the Provost had initially provided a verbal assurance to restore amenities and extend the residency period. However, the organisation claimed the official later withdrew from that position and issued what it termed a punitive extortion order, requiring students who wished to remain in the hostel to pay Rs 450 per day.
The students have put forward several key demands, including the immediate resignation of the UHW Provost, restoration of 24-hour water supply, and an unconditional extension of hostel stay without any financial penalties. AISA reiterated its full support for the residents and called for a written guarantee on these issues.
As of the latest reports, Delhi University authorities and the UHW administration had not issued any official response to the allegations, according to news agency ANI.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between students and hostel administration at one of the country’s premier universities during a critical examination period