Presidency University students continue indefinite fast for 7th day

The indefinite hunger strike by a section of the Presidency University here entered the seventh day on Sunday, while one of the fasting students has been hospitalised in serious condition. 

Ten students were on an indefinite fast at the campus demanding that students they are accommodated in the under-renovation Hindu Hostel. 

The PWD has informed the university authorities that two blocks of the hostel would be ready by November 15. One of the fasting students, Mamun Badshah, was now under treatment at the Medical College and Hospital and in serious condition, a spokesman of the agitating student said. 

"Four students, including Mamun, had fallen ill in the past three days and had to be hospitalised. Three of them were discharged but they did not resume the fast because of their health conditions. Their place was taken up by three other students," the student spokesman Ujan said. 

The students' demands included setting up of a committee comprising boarders for supervising the Hindu Hostel renovation, allowing boarders to stay in three rooms in the campus forthwith and dissolving the probe committee formed to find out students responsible for the closure of the main gate on September 10, a day before the university's convocation. 

Vice-Chancellor Anuradha Lohia said on Friday, "We have always maintained we will open the Hindu hostel when the PWD will declare it fit - be it November 15 or whenever. We will go by what PWD will say." The students' indefinite fast began at the campus portico from 9 pm on October 1. 

The Hindu Hostel, adjoining the College Street institution, had been shut down for repairs on July 29, 2015, and 150 borders were shifted to a rented accommodation at New Town.

(With inputs from agencies.)