Jamia forms four-member panel after hostel mess food complaints

Jamia Millia Islamia has constituted a four-member committee to investigate food-quality complaints at the Jammu and Kashmir Girls’ Hostel mess, where some students alleged that a chameleon was found in food served to them.

The university said government agencies would also be involved in the inquiry. The complaints followed a protest by hostel students over the quality of mess food; by September 12, the protest had entered its third day.

The dispute also produced conflicting accounts of an alleged confrontation. The All India Students’ Association said an Assistant Proctor assaulted students during the protest. Jamia denied that allegation, saying students had manhandled security personnel; university officials also said two hostel gates were broken and members of the proctorial team were manhandled.

Jamia said most of the students’ demands had already been accepted. The committee’s findings and the role of the government agencies are awaited.