IIT Mandi students protest against authorites' decision to vacate campus hostel

The email stated that students must give an undertaking that they are leaving the campus of their own will.

A group of students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have alleged that the institute has put them in a “precarious” situation by its “arbitrary” decision of sending them back to their respective homes during the second wave of COVID-19. “This decision has created a multitude of inconveniences not only for the students but the working staff as well,” an appeal issued by students reads.

On May 6, a task force committee set up by the administration of IIT Mandi notified the students living in the campus hostel to leave within three days through an email. The email stated that students must give an undertaking that they are leaving the campus of their own will. The students say that such directives are contradictory in nature as students are not willing to leave the hostel on their own accord. 

The students said that in such a short period it has put them in a tight spot as many states require an RT-PCR report, which is taking longer than normal to obtain. In addition to the shortage of tickets to travel back home, the thought of travelling in public transport has also contributed to their worries, the students add.

“The institution is not giving any relaxation due to these practical problems. The institute further notified the students with a follow-up email that those who stay past the deadline, and are not included in the official list of students who are allowed to stay back, will not have access to the mess food,” a student from the university told a media house.

The students also allege that they were not consulted before the decision was arrived at. The email, however, includes a clause that students from the third year to last year of PhD can stay over along with students who have co-morbidities and are more prone to contracting the disease.

IIT Mandi Administrations has now released a statement regarding the same and said that the decision to vacate the hostels has been taken to avoid a surge in COVID-19 cases on campus. The institute also claimed that it had arranged transport facilities for students.

“With the rising COVID cases and the increasing positivity rate in Himachal Pradesh, IIT Mandi is concerned for the safety of the students on campus. Some students and staff members had also tested positive for COVID on campus and this number is increasing. In this pandemic situation, usage of shared mess facilities and washrooms are not safe for accommodating large numbers of students in the hostels. In addition to hostel premises, a large gathering in the dining hall carries potential risk of COVID. Thus, dining in the mess is permitted only for the students who are allowed to stay on campus. In addition to this, with the limited medical infrastructure on campus and in Mandi town, the institute feels it is safer for the students to return to their homes. As on date, around 400 students have left the campus. Many have reached their homes safely. Many more are on the way," the institute said in a statement.

"The institute has arranged buses and has provided logistics support for the travel of the students to various parts of the country, following COVID SOP. The institute is also bearing a part of the travel cost. The institute has provided documents and other logistical support facilitating the students’ travel. Additionally, RT-PCR testing is being arranged for those students who need a negative report required for travel," it added.

"We wish all our students a safe journey back home to be with their families during this time of the pandemic crisis. IIT Mandi will continue to stay vigilant, take all precautions and follow all COVID protocols to contain the spread of the virus. IIT Mandi hopes the country overcomes the crisis and hopes things are back to normal very soon,” IIT Mandi said.

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