Delhi University’s Ramjas College has announced the closure of its boys’ and girls’ hostels for the upcoming academic session. The decision was reportedly taken over safety concerns and has raised fresh questions about the state of infrastructure at the university. The decision has also drawn sharp criticism from student groups.

The two hostels, with a combined capacity of approximately 150 students, are being shut down. Principal Ajay Arora told national media that the college has not created a new merit list for hostel admissions this year due to structural concerns.

“Last year, the roof of a hostel room collapsed… There is also a dent on the side of one of the buildings. After the exams ended, we vacated the hostels immediately. We want to approach a government agency to get a safety audit done. Only after we get clearances will we prepare a fresh merit list for accommodation. For now, we are not willing to risk any student’s life,” said the principal.

Students Protest

The All India Students’ Association (AISA), the student wing at Delhi University, staged a protest against the move. In a memorandum submitted to the principal, AISA demanded the immediate reopening of the hostels. The memorandum also accused the administration of failing to invest in the safety and accessibility of housing for students coming from far-off places to study at the central university in the national capital.

“What’s happening at Ramjas is not new… It’s part of a disturbing pattern across DU. Just as freshers arrive, Ramjas locks its doors,” said Anjali, AISA’s DU secretary. “Hostels are not a luxury. With students arriving from all over the country, they are a right. We will fight tooth and nail to defend that right,” read a statement by AISA.

While the college authorities state that the decision to close the hostels is based on safety considerations, they maintain that it is temporary in nature.