SEPARATE SEATINGS FOR VEGETARIAN , NON-VEGETARIAN STUDENTS

By Anshika Khera

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur withdrew a notice for segregation in seating at dining halls based on vegetarian and non-vegetarian habits . It came into hint that the notice about segregation of the seating arrangements at BR Ambedkar hall had been issued without the knowledge of higher authorities the institute director, Suman Chakraborty, told PTI on Friday, “The moment he came to know about the decision, it was scrapped following immediate consultation with others in the higher authority of the institute.” “There should not be any such signage to segregate students assembled at the dining hall based on their culinary choice. We have ordered that such signage be removed in whichever dining hall it remains with immediate effect.”

He further said that an educational institution should not impose rules of segregation based on eating choices of an individual. On August 16, boarders of the B R Ambedkar Hall of Residence were asked in a notice to take seats based on separately earmarked places for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

It created a flutter among the boarders who criticised the move and the alumni of the institute came in support of the boarders and said that such move promotes division. “There must not be any such segregation for seating in the dining hall,” the notice said.