For the past six days, students at Nizam College have been staging a protest over the allocation of hostel facilities. The issue arose when it was revealed that the hostel, built specifically for undergraduate (UG) students in 2022, was not fully allocated to them. Instead, the authorities have divided the hostel's capacity between UG and postgraduate (PG) students.
The Root of the Protests
Nizam College accommodates around 1,500 UG students and 1,500 PG students. The college built a new hostel specifically for UG students, with a capacity to house 200-250 students each year. However, this year, only 150 UG students were allotted hostel facilities, while another 150 seats were allocated to PG students. This decision led to protests as 90 additional UG students who applied for hostel accommodation were left without a place.
Typically, PG students are allotted hostels within the Osmania University campus. However, this year, the administration's decision to split the newly constructed UG hostel has not gone down well with the students.
The Student Response
The UG students, particularly the women, are demanding that the hostel built for them should be allocated entirely to UG students. They confronted the college principal, who stated that the division was based on the recommendations from the education department, which suggested a 50% allocation for both UG and PG students.
Unhappy with this explanation, the students have taken to the streets, demanding a 100% allocation of the hostel to UG students. They have been organizing unique forms of protest, including a candlelight march and cooking demonstrations under the college’s famous banyan tree.
Support from Local Leaders
The protest has garnered support from local leaders, including MLC Balmoor Venkat, who promised to take steps to ensure that the hostel is fully allocated to UG students. However, the students have vowed to continue their protest until they receive a written assurance from the authorities.
Conclusion
The ongoing protests at Nizam College highlight the importance of addressing student accommodation issues promptly and transparently. As the demonstrations continue, it remains to be seen how the college administration and the education department will resolve this dispute.
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