With the students’ protest at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, entering its 18th day, the events have turned grave and political as more leaders accused the state government and university administration of apathy towards the students.
On Saturday, protesting students alleged that the university administration had locked women inside their hostels and cut-off food and water supplies. The face-off between the students and university authorities worsened on Thursday evening when hostel residents, who were mostly postgraduate and PhD students, were suddenly asked to vacate hostel premises.
They said one of the female students had to be taken to the hospital after her health deteriorated in the severe heat.
The boys hostel too was without food, the students reported.
The Parliament’s leader of opposition, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said such a situation was unprecedented in Haryana’s history. He called the administration of the university “dictatorial”, and accused the state government of discouraging the girls from pursuing studies.
As mess services were discontinued without warning, students set up a makeshift kitchen at the dharna site on Saturday to cook their meals.
They also marched to the Dean of Students' Welfare (DSW) office and demanded accountability, claiming that the library was closed during this period, despite it remaining open even on holidays.
Banging plates and spoons to highlight their demands, they sent a memorandum to the Chief Secretary of Haryana and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging that the university administration had violated basic human rights by denying them access to basic facilities of food, water, and education.
The administration, meanwhile, has said the actions taken were part of routine procedures associated with the summer break on the campus.
Dr. Rajbir Garg, Director of Research and Chairman of the Student Coordination Committee, stated that the academic session 2024-25 had officially concluded, and vacations were underway.
“As per university policy, hostels are vacated during this time for maintenance and renovation. This is a routine, pre-scheduled process approved in an April 9, 2021, meeting and reflected in the academic calendar and student handbook,” he said.
Refuting claims that the closure of hostels was linked to student demonstrations, he said notices to vacate hostels had been issued before any protests began on June 2. He said mess services were also suspended during the summer break since most staff returned to their home states. The closure of the library was attributed to the annual physical verification of resources that required temporary closure.
He also pointed that certain "unidentified individuals" had been seen near hostels at night, raising security concerns.
The students have demanded that the VC be removed, alleging that he ordered a lathicharge on June 10 during a peaceful protest organised to demand the rollback of the revised scholarship eligibility norms for postgraduate students.
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