Gujarat College has sparked protests over the deteriorating infrastructure on campus. Led by the National Students Union of India (NSUI), a group of students met with the college authorities on Thursday, urging them to address the lack of residential facilities and inadequate amenities on the college campus.
The students have raised concerns about several ongoing issues that hinder their academic experience and daily comfort.
At the heart of the protests is the college’s hostel, which became non-operational in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of educational institutions across the country. Since then, students have been forced to seek accommodation off-campus, often at considerable extra cost. Students argue that on-campus hostel facilities would not only be more affordable but also provide a safer and more convenient living environment for those coming from middle-class families. They have requested immediate clarity from the college administration about the status of the hostel facilities, asking whether the existing buildings are in disrepair or require renovation. More importantly, they are calling for urgent action to either repair or construct new hostel buildings to ease their accommodation woes.
In addition to the hostel crisis, students have voiced their frustrations over the inadequate infrastructure in classrooms. The college, which caters to a large student body, has repurposed chemistry laboratories into classrooms, resulting in smaller and cramped spaces. The students have expressed concerns over the lack of proper facilities for practical learning and have demanded that the laboratories be restored to their original function. Their plea underscores the importance of maintaining educational resources that are essential for quality learning and development, especially in technical fields.
Water supply is another issue that has sparked anger among students. Despite the large student population, many report a chronic shortage of drinking water and issues with the availability of water in washrooms. The lack of basic facilities, such as consistent water supply, has further compounded the frustration of students, who expect their educational institution to provide a safe and healthy environment conducive to learning.
The NSUI leaders have made it clear that if the issues are not addressed promptly, they will escalate their protests. The union has warned of a larger agitation if the college administration fails to take immediate action.
In response to the growing protests, a Gujarat College official confirmed that the hostel buildings were no longer in a usable state. However, they assured the students that a new hostel building would be constructed, with a grant already cleared for the purpose. This promises some relief to students, who have been left in uncertainty regarding their accommodation for the past few years. However, the promise of a new hostel building raises questions about the timeline for completion, as students remain concerned about how long they will have to wait before the issue is fully addressed.
These demands and protests highlight the ongoing challenges faced by government colleges in meeting the needs of their student populations. As students continue to push for better facilities, it remains to be seen how quickly the authorities will act to resolve the issues. The situation at Gujarat College is a reflection of the wider infrastructural and resource gaps in many public educational institutions, which continue to struggle with providing the basic amenities that students require for a successful academic experience. The outcome of this protest could set a precedent for similar demands at other institutions across the state.
As the issue unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that students’ voices are heard and that the necessary steps are taken to create a more supportive and sustainable educational environment.
