JMI sets up committee to investigate 'chameleon-in-food' allegation at hostel mess

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has constituted a four-member fact-finding committee to investigate CCTV footage related to an incident at one of its school hostel messes, where allegations were raised about a chameleon being found in a student's bowl of pulses.

The university said the committee will examine the entire CCTV footage and ascertain the circumstances leading up to the incident, including the actions and roles of those involved. JMI is also seeking assistance from government investigating agencies to examine the footage.

According to the press release, the CCTV footage appears to show a hostel resident taking his bowl of pulses under a mess table. A group of students subsequently created a commotion, alleging that a chameleon had been found in the bowl.

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JMI to probe possible deliberate disruption

The four-member committee has been asked to establish the facts and determine whether the incident involved any deliberate attempt to create disruption or bring disrepute to the university's hostel messes.

JMI said appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible if the probe establishes deliberate wrongdoing, fabrication, misinformation or other misconduct, in accordance with the applicable rules.

The university administration has also expressed concern over what it described as attempts to disrupt the functioning of its hostels and the wider academic environment through unsubstantiated allegations and misinformation, including the circulation of reels, videos and clips on social media platforms.

JMI has appealed to students to avoid circulating unverified social media content related to the incident.

JMI to install more CCTV cameras in hostel messes

As part of measures to strengthen monitoring and transparency, the university has decided to install additional CCTV cameras in all hostel messes and their respective kitchens.

According to JMI, the surveillance system will facilitate round-the-clock monitoring of food preparation, catering and other activities in hostel kitchen and mess areas. The university also said that food quality and hygiene in its hostel messes are routinely monitored by hostel authorities, including provosts, wardens and caretakers, along with mess committees comprising hostel residents.

JMI further said that university authorities, including the vice chancellor and registrar, occasionally have meals in the boys' and girls' hostel messes to monitor the quality of food being served to students.

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JMI says genuine student concerns will be addressed

The university said its hostel messes have been serving students for several decades and that their mess charges remain among the lowest compared with other universities in the National Capital Region.

JMI said genuine concerns related to food quality, hygiene and hostel facilities will be addressed on a priority basis.

The university reiterated that maintaining a safe and supportive environment for students and residents remains its priority and that necessary measures will be taken to protect students' academic interests while maintaining standards in its hostels and messes.