<h5>What has happened at IIT Bombay?</h5><p>A few students at IIT Bombay protested a rule under which some hostel tables were reserved for ‘vegetarian food’ only. They protested by eating meat at one of the reserved tables. Following this, the hostel administration fined a dissenting student Rs 10,000. An investigation was also launched to identify other protestors.</p><p>Officials at Hostels 12, 13, and 14 had reserved six tables in their mess halls for vegetarians. They warned that action will be taken if anyone violates this rule.</p><p>In mid-July, a few students had declared that some mess tables were only for vegetarians. At the time, the administration spoke out against this division, saying that no space in the mess could be booked and that no one could seek to exclude anyone. Later, however, the tables were reserved.</p><h5>What are the reactions to this protest?</h5><p>Some students supported the protests; some didn’t. Many teachers also opposed the policy. As dissent against the hostel canteen's policy grew louder on campus, the Dean of Student Affairs (SA) emailed all students and staff, saying that IIT-Bombay will not have a separate vegetarian mess space. The Dean also warned the students against disrupting the peace on campus.</p><p>However, the decision to reserve the tables in Hostels 12, 13, and 14 was taken by the mess council. Thus, the wardens have been ordered to look into and resolve the issue.</p><h5>Are such divisive policies okay?</h5><p>As Indians, we are all familiar with the phrase “unity in diversity”. We are a nation of numerous cultures, beliefs, languages, and ideologies. However, despite our differences, we have managed to prosper as a united country. Thus, to be Indian means to be tolerant and respectful.</p><p>Since we live in a free and equal country, we all have the right to eat the food we choose. But this also means that we respect the right of other people to eat the food of their choice, even if those choices differ from ours. This is because people decide to be vegetarian or non-vegetarian for deeply personal reasons.</p><p>When we share a common space with different groups, our goal should be to make all groups feel comfortable. But when we create ‘exclusive’ spaces for one group, we unknowingly end up discriminating against other groups. Thus, avoiding such divisive policies is best to maintain harmony among everyone.</p>

Some students protested the mess council’s rule to reserve a few tables for vegetarians.

A Dispute In IIT Bombay

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