Students of the Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) staged a protest on August 23 against the continuous increase in hostel mess fees, demanding that the administration reconsider the latest hike and address concerns over food quality and mess management.

The protest comes after a series of increases in the monthly mess charges. The fee, which was initially around ₹2,700, was increased to ₹3,071 following the rise in cooking gas prices during the global gas crisis. It was later increased from ₹3,071 to ₹3,400, and the latest proposed fee has now reached ₹3,700 plus 5% GST.

With GST, the monthly mess bill would come to approximately ₹3,885, adding to the financial burden on students staying in university hostels.

From ₹2,700 to ₹3,700 + GST

Students say their opposition is not limited to the latest increase. They have questioned the repeated rise in mess charges over a period of time.

The fee has moved from approximately ₹2,700 to ₹3,071, then ₹3,400 and now ₹3,700 plus GST. Students argue that every increase should be accompanied by improvements in food quality, hygiene, quantity and overall mess services.

They have also demanded greater transparency from the administration regarding the reasons behind the repeated revisions and the actual costs involved in running the mess.

Two Students Begin Hunger Strike

The protest took a more serious turn when two students, Mritunjay Kumar and Ankit Yadav, went on a hunger strike to press the administration to consider the students' demands.

The hunger strike continued during the protest on August 23. The fast was later broken after the Chief Proctor gave water to the two students, marking a temporary de-escalation of the situation.

The action by the two students became one of the key moments of the protest, as their hunger strike highlighted the seriousness of the students' opposition to the fee hike.

Students Seek Administration's Intervention

Apart from demanding a reconsideration of the mess fee, students have raised concerns about the quality and quantity of food being served in the hostel mess.

They have called for better food quality, proper hygiene, transparency in mess-related expenses and greater student participation in decisions concerning the mess.

Students have also reportedly suggested alternatives such as a coupon-based mess system, which could provide students with greater flexibility in managing their food expenses.

Vice-Chancellor Agrees to Meet Students

Following the protest, Vice-Chancellor Sarang Medhankar has agreed to meet the protesting students to discuss their concerns.

The meeting has been scheduled for 5 PM on August 24, a day after the protest.

The meeting is expected to focus on the mess fee hike, students' concerns regarding food quality and possible solutions to the issue. The discussion could play an important role in determining whether the latest increase is reconsidered or whether an alternative arrangement is proposed.

Administration's Side

The administration has maintained that the increase is connected to the process of selecting a new mess operator. The previous mess operator had reportedly expressed its intention to discontinue the service, following which the university initiated the tender process for a new vendor.

The lowest quotation received was reportedly around ₹3,700 per month plus 5% GST, while some other vendors quoted around ₹4,000.

However, students maintain that the final financial burden is being placed on hostel residents and have therefore demanded that their concerns be taken into account before the revised fee is implemented.

TVN Insights

The CUJ mess-fee protest has become more than just a disagreement over a few hundred rupees. The journey from ₹2,700 to ₹3,071, then ₹3,400 and finally ₹3,700 plus 5% GST has raised concerns among students about the affordability of hostel life.

The hunger strike by Mritunjay Kumar and Ankit Yadav further brought attention to the seriousness of the issue, while the decision of Vice-Chancellor Sarang Medhankar to meet students at 5 PM on August 24 could provide an opportunity for both sides to find a solution.

The key question now is whether the August 24 meeting will result in a reconsideration of the fee or bring a clear roadmap for improving mess services.

For students, the demand remains straightforward: if the fees are increasing, the quality, transparency and accountability of the mess system should increase as well.