Students at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak have escalated their ongoing protest by launching an indefinite dharna. The sit-in demonstration, which began on Tuesday, is a direct response to what the students describe as the university administration's failure to address their long-standing grievances, primarily concerning hostel facilities.
Core Demands and Immediate Triggers
The protest, organized by the MDU Students Union, centers on several critical issues affecting the student community. The primary demand is the immediate reopening of Hostel Number 13 for girls. This hostel has been closed for renovation for an extended period, causing significant accommodation shortages and inconvenience.
Beyond this, the students are pressing for a comprehensive solution to the overall hostel scarcity on campus. They argue that the lack of sufficient and affordable accommodation forces many to seek housing far from the university, impacting their academic life and safety. The protestors have also highlighted problems with basic amenities like water supply and sanitation in the existing hostels.
The decision to start an indefinite dharna came after a series of earlier protests, including a march to the Vice-Chancellor's office, failed to yield any concrete assurances or action plans from the university authorities. The students union leadership expressed frustration over the administration's perceived apathy.
The Scene of the Protest
The dharna is currently underway at a prominent location within the university premises, ensuring high visibility. A large number of students, both male and female, are participating, demonstrating widespread support for the cause. They have vowed to continue their sit-in protest until their demands are met in writing by the university administration.
Protestors have been observed sitting peacefully, holding placards that detail their demands and slogans calling for urgent intervention. The atmosphere, while determined, has been reported as non-violent, with the students union maintaining discipline among the participants.
Administration's Response and Potential Impact
As of now, the university administration has not issued an official statement or taken visible steps to resolve the crisis following the launch of the indefinite dharna. This silence is further fueling the students' resolve. The prolonged protest threatens to disrupt the normal academic rhythm of the campus if a swift resolution is not found.
The situation puts the spotlight on the broader challenges of infrastructure and student welfare in state universities. The MDU students' protest in Rohtak is being closely watched as a test case for how student grievances are handled by educational institutions in Haryana. The onus is now on the university's leadership to engage in dialogue and present a acceptable roadmap to address the legitimate concerns raised by the student body.
The coming days will be crucial. A prolonged indefinite dharna could lead to increased tensions and potentially affect the university's functioning. The student leaders have made their position clear, and the ball is firmly in the court of the MDU administration to de-escalate the situation through prompt and meaningful action.
