BHU students on hunger strike for basic facilities

Students in BHU have been on a hunger strike for more than three days now. They have taken this step as earlier attempts of writing applications to the authorities have been in vain. They are fighting for the basic facilities that are not available in BHU.

They are demanding for better library facilities where the outdated books are updated to the latest editions. They are also demanding that the library be open for longer duration for the benefit of the students. The cyber library that serves 30,000 students only has a capacity of 500 computers and seats. They are demanding that this capacity needs to be increased keeping in mind the number of students enrolled. This is not the only place where there is a disproportionate ratio in the number of students and available facility. Only 30% of the students get to stay in the university hostel. Rest must find accommodations in the city where the rent keeps on increasing year after year which adds to the financial burden of the students. They are demanding that all students get to live in hostel and till then the university compensate every student living outside by giving Rs. 2000 per month.

Security for girls has been an issue in BHU from a long time and students have been agitating for better security measures. Even now one of the demands raised is that the security measures be increased so that girls are safe inside the campus. The other problem that the girls face is that there are no sanitary pad dispensers in the campus. Such a basic and regular necessity is not available in the university. There are no toilets for girls in many of the buildings in the university. Arranging for these necessities is an important part of their demands. The other demand they are raising is for arrangements to be made for the safety of the blind students inside the campus.

They are also fighting for reinstating the students’ union which can talk about the problems faced by the students to the authorities on behalf of the student community. Also, another demand is the reinstating of the teachers’ union and staff union for better representation of these two communities.

Spark supports the just struggle of the students of BHU for their basic rights.