• Source:JND
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Days after a few students held a protest against the ‘vegetarian-only’ rule in the mess at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, the institution reportedly imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on one of the students in action against the protest. The entire matter was triggered on September 27, when the mess council of hostels 12, 13, and 14, with the aim to upgrade the dining experience, segregated six tables for the people preferring vegetarian food. The new rule was communicated through an email, which reportedly read that the action was to create a “more inclusive” dining experience. “There was no doubt that some people who cannot resist the view and smell of non-veg food during dining ..which may create health issues as well,” the email further read. 

The new rule did not sit well with some students, who in their show of protest, sat on the segregated tables to eat non-vegetarian food. The silent protest was taken out by the students on September 28. Taking immediate action, the authorities imposed a fine on one of the students for a “premeditated attempt to disrupt the peace and harmony of the mess”, while they are yet to identify the identities of the other two. 

The decision to impose the fine on the students was taken after a meeting that was held by the mess councils of Hostels 12, 13, and 14 on October 01. The meeting was reportedly attended by the hostel wardens, associate wardens, three mess staffers, and four professors. The members also reached out to the student representatives of the said hostels to assist with the matter and identify the students. 

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The fine imposition on the students was also communicated by an email that was sent by the hall manager to the students. The email informed the responsible students that the amount would be deducted from their SMA account. “I am to inform you that the authority has imposed on you a fine of Rs 10,000 (Ten Thousand only), which will be deducted from your SMA account,” the email read. 

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The council, in their justification, stated that the decision was taken on account of the available evidence, where the accused student “instigated” the incident, according to the reports. “This act was a premeditated attempt to disrupt the peace and harmony within the mess in defiance of the advice provided by the associate dean, SA, as evidenced in shared email communication. At least two other individuals were involved, whose identities are yet to be ascertained,” the statement stated.