Miranda House Hostel Menu Overhaul Triggers Campus Protests in Delhi
In a significant shift at Miranda House, a premier college under Delhi University, the hostel mess menu has undergone drastic changes, sparking protests among students on Wednesday evening. Traditional favorites like cheela, macaroni, parathas, pav bhaji, and chole bhature have been replaced with items such as biscuits, cakes, sandwiches, and packaged snacks, while rotis are now limited to dinner only. This move has raised concerns over food quality and availability at the institute.
Gas Supply Constraints Prompt Menu Adjustments
Internal communications from the hostel mess secretary, circulated via a WhatsApp group, reveal that the menu has been scaled down in recent days due to gas supply issues. One message states, "Due to the worsening situation in the Gulf, there is currently a limited supply of gas from GAIL. Because of this, food items that require more gas to prepare — such as aloo fry, kadhi and parathas — will not be provided for the time being."
Another notice outlines further restrictions: "In teashare (evening snack time), food will be prepared in the mess only once a week. On the remaining days, packaged food will be provided. Roti will be served only during dinner. All meals will consist of simple dishes that require less gas. This arrangement will remain in effect until further notice."
A third communication elaborates on the constraints, explaining that parathas have been removed from breakfast in favor of toasted bread and sandwiches. It notes that dishes like chicken biryani and pav bhaji, which involve extensive frying or toasting, are not feasible with low gas pressure.
Administration Denies Arbitrary Cuts, Cites Advisory
The college administration has denied any arbitrary reduction in food services, asserting that changes were made in consultation with students following an advisory from Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to reduce gas consumption by 20%. Principal Bijayalaxmi Nanda stated, "The mess menu is decided by the students themselves. We ensure they get proper nutritious food. The college is not facing any kind of crisis in gas supply." She added that no formal complaints were received and that authorities engaged with protesting students to address their concerns.
However, IGL officials clarified on Thursday that there is no disruption in supply to educational institutions, hostels, hospitals, and canteens, with supply likely to remain unaffected. In March, IGL had issued a communication advising colleges and other commercial PNG consumers to maintain gas usage at 80% of the average consumption over the previous six months, following a central government notification prioritizing domestic supply.
Student Grievances and Temporary Improvements
Students, numbering around 300 at the hostel, expressed dissatisfaction, noting that typical evening teashare items like aloo tikki, pakoda, kachori, chowmein, and macaroni have been largely replaced by packaged food. Some reported temporary improvements after the protest, with meals like rajma chawal and roti served at lunch on Thursday.
Bursar and hostel committee member Nandini Dutta responded to the allegations, stating that menu changes were made after consultation with students and were not imposed. "We received an advisory to restrict PNG usage to 80% of the last six months’ consumption. Based on that, and after discussion with the students, some adjustments were made," she said. Dutta emphasized that packaged food is not provided daily and that students were given options to choose between lunch and dinner to manage gas usage.
Protest Escalation and Administrative Measures
The protest escalated when some students attempted to move it outside the hostel premises, attracting members from Left-affiliated groups and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Dutta noted that regular meals, including chicken and paneer, were served on the protest day, and some students protested over broader food experience concerns. The administration has procured four induction units as a temporary measure, though officials acknowledge that large-scale cooking on them may not be fully sustainable.
A meeting with aggrieved students has been scheduled for April 4 to further address the issues, as the college continues to navigate the balance between gas conservation and student welfare.
