A recent controversy surrounding the establishment of ‘veg-only’ dining tables in one of the hostel messes at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay prompted Insight, the official student media body, to publish an article raising concerns about segregation.
Describing the decision as setting a “dangerous precedent”, this is the first time the student media body has officially penned its opinion. Highlighting the differences between hostel life and home living, Insight stressed the importance of adapting to an unfamiliar environment. While the article acknowledged the need for mutual support, it deemed the demand for segregation in the name of inclusivity, and the acceptance of such a demand, as unreasonable. This could lead to the creation of exclusive spaces based on personal choices, which may not align with the principles of inclusivity, the article stated.
The controversy broke when the mess council of hostels 12, 13, and 14 at IIT-B decided to designate six separate tables for vegetarian food. While many members of the IIT Bombay community expressed reservations about this decision, Insight’s article, published on Monday night, has intensified the discussion among students regarding the broader implications of this segregation.
The article stated the already existing instances of inclusivity in messes, such as the availability of Jain food and the provision of meals before sunrise during Ramadan and before sunset during Paryushan. These services are offered without limiting or infringing upon the choices available to all students. However, the article contends that catering to the preferences of one specific group does not make the campus genuinely ‘inclusive’.
According to Insight, it is vital to be empathetic to the problems and concerns of all students to create a welcoming campus, but this empathy should not be misplaced.
The article further stated that allowing personal preferences to dictate decisions about shared spaces can be susceptible to misuse. It also raised the concern that such a practice might compromise the integrity of hostel elections, as candidates may promise to segregate common areas based on personal preferences to garner votes from specific student communities, thereby intensifying polarisation during student elections.
The Insight article underscored the importance of examining the decision and its potential implications from the perspective of caste. The article has urged decision-makers to educate themselves on this aspect and called for a thorough review of student feedback to address such concerns in a public forum, especially when dealing with sensitive issues.
Source: Hindustan Times
