A day following the controversial directive issued by the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) cafeteria, segregating tables for vegetarians, a group of four to five students embarked on a symbolic act of protest last night. In a display of what they termed “individual civil disobedience,” these students deliberately dined with non-vegetarian dishes at one of the designated vegetarian tables. This move saw mixed reactions, with some students joining the protest while others voiced opposition.
The recent policy change, implemented by hostel administrators for hostels 12, 13, and 14, allocated six tables in the common dining area exclusively for individuals adhering to a vegetarian diet. Anticipating this change, one of the protesting students had previously notified the hostel mess coordinator and the concerned Assistant Dean of their intent to defy this new regulation.
Speaking anonymously, one of the protesting students stated, “Between 8 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., we decided to occupy just one of the reserved tables. In our group of four to five, some of us chose to include chicken in our meals, while others, out of solidarity, consumed vegetarian fare.” However, there were opposing voices from fellow students who attempted to compel the protesters to relocate to a different table. The situation escalated as some individuals began recording the event, ultimately prompting campus security to intervene, albeit without a clear course of action.
Despite efforts to deter the protesters, they completed their meals and left the dining area. The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), a student organization, expressed solidarity with these students. In a social media statement, the APPSC asserted, “We stand in solidarity with the students and appeal for rational discourse and open dialogue.”
As of now, the institute’s administration has not responded to inquiries regarding the controversy surrounding segregated dining spaces in the cafeteria. While the hostel mess’s directive warned of penalties for violations, the protesting students have not received any official notifications of consequences.
This recent incident mirrors a similar dispute in July, when ‘vegetarians only’ posters appeared in an IIT-B hostel canteen, allegedly placed by a few students. The decision to allocate tables exclusively for vegetarian food followed this prior controversy.
