Water cuts, forced eviction and extortion spark protest at DU women's hostel

Women residents of University Hostel for Women (UHW) at Delhi University staged a late-night protest after accusing the hostel administration of “forced eviction”, “extortion”, and disrupting essential facilities during an important examination period.

The protest began around 9:30 pm and continued past midnight as students gathered outside the hostel premises, raising slogans against the administration. The demonstration took place amid ongoing semester examinations and preparation for national-level exams such as NEET.

Students alleged that the administration had increased pressure on residents over the past week despite many already paying hostel fees in advance for June and July.

MIDNIGHT PROTEST SPARKS TENSION ON CAMPUS

The protest drew attention after videos and visuals from the campus surfaced online showing students demanding answers from hostel authorities.

According to the protesting students, the administration imposed harsh conditions on residents who wished to continue staying in the hostel after the regular deadline.

The All India Students’ Association (AISA), which extended support to the agitation, alleged that students were being asked to pay an additional Rs 450 per day to continue their stay.

The organisation described the move as a “punitive extortion order” and accused the administration of backtracking on earlier assurances.

WATER CUTS AND REMOVED CHAIRS ADD TO STUDENTS’ ANGER

One of the major allegations raised by the students involved the disruption of basic facilities inside the hostel.

Protesters claimed that water supply was shut down in parts of two hostel blocks, creating severe inconvenience during the ongoing examination period. Students also alleged that chairs were removed from the hostel reading room, affecting late-night study preparations.

AISA stated that these actions had pushed students “to the brink” and described the situation as “institutional apathy”.

“This institutional apathy has crossed all limits of human dignity,” the student body said in its statement.

STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION FROM UNIVERSITY

The protesting students demanded immediate restoration of water supply and basic study facilities within the hostel.

They also sought an unconditional extension of the hostel stay without additional financial penalties. Alongside this, AISA demanded the resignation of the hostel Provost over the handling of the situation.

According to student groups, a mobilisation had earlier taken place on May 16, after which the Provost allegedly gave verbal assurances regarding restoration of facilities and extension of hostel deadlines. However, protesters claimed that the administration later withdrew from those promises.

Delhi University authorities had not issued an official detailed response to the allegations at the time of reporting.

(With ANI inputs)