JNUSU shares video of decaying JNU hostel infrastructure, says students' lives at risk

NEW DELHI: Drawing attention to the decaying hostel infrastructure in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the students' union (JNUSU) has once again called for immediate renovation of the JNU hostels.

Sharing a video of the condition of JNU's hostels after a few days of rain, the JNUSU said, “The JNU hostels need to be immediately renovated. Allot more funds for hostel renovation and maintenance. Stop putting the lives of students at risk.”

The video showed ceilings leaking after heavy rain in Delhi. They also said that the books, mattress and clothes are getting destroyed due to the poor infrastructure.

On April 14, a student was severely injured after the roof of a hostel fell on his head. Following the incident, JNU received Rs 56.34 crores for hostel repairs and maintenance from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the ministry of education.

A recent Right to Information (RTI) reply also revealed that JNU administration has spent more than Rs 10 lakh for seven different works on its Vice Chancellor’s house in two years. Of which, Rs 8.6 lakhs was spent in just four months between February 18 and May 12, 2022.

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Several students, who recently protested demanding JNU administration to discuss the pertinent issues within the campus premises, said that the fellowships are not being disbursed on time.

A student group named Democratic Students Federation (DSF) had staged a protest on August 1 demanding an immediate allotment of the hostel and its renovation.

On the ceiling collapse, the JNU officials had said in an official statement that a portion of the bathroom ceiling collapsed due to dampness. All India Students' Association (AISA) had also condemned and said that “it is a case of criminal negligence by hostel wardens and the dean”.