All the three boys hostels of Barkatullah University, one of the premier universities of the state, are in a dilapidated state. The university administration did not pay attention despite several complaints made by students in this regard.
All the three hostels, Jawahar Hostel, Munshi Premchandra Hostel and Sanjay Gandhi Hostel, are located in the university campus whose toilets, corridors, drinking water place, common rooms and mess remain filthy for most of the time. The stairs are covered with paan and gutkha stains. At Munshi Premchandra Hostel, the students associated with Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have painted the hostel board in saffron and made a picture of Lord Ram. On either side of entry gate are symbols of ABVP.
When this reporter visited hostels, the students at Jawahar Hostel were playing cards and those at Sanjay Gandhi were running bikes in corridor of the hostels. There was no warden for supervision. A section of hostellers wishing anonymity said, “We fear for our safety. Outsiders come and beat students living in the hostel. A few days back, policemen came, picked up students and beat them without any permission.”
Vivek Tripathi, NSUI spokesperson
The varsity administration had been negligent about the safety and security of the students living inside the hostel. The outsiders are living inside the hostel under the patronage of varsity administration.
Harsh, Bhopal division coordinator of ABVP
Despite complaints from students, varsity administration has not taken any action. There are no employees either during day or at night. The students are not safe inside the hostels of varsity. Mismanagement has peaked.
Swapnil, BU student union president
We are preparing to give a memorandum to vice-chancellor and registrar. We have told them about deteriorating condition of hostel. Police entered inside the premises a few days back and manhandled the students. But I have no information about outsiders living in hostels.
Professor UN Shukla, BU registrar
I have visited the hostels few days back. Every thing is fine. The security guard remains at night. The students run mess, as it costs them less. I have not received any complaints regarding safety, sanitation and other issues in the hostels.
