Bhopal’s Barkatullah University has made headlines recently by announcing a ban on Durga Puja celebrations at its hostels. The decision, which has sparked controversy among students, is reportedly due to unpaid hostel fees. The university administration stated that the measure is aimed at ensuring that students with outstanding dues are not allowed to participate in the festivities, a move intended to enforce discipline regarding timely fee payment.
The annual hostel fee at Barkatullah University is approximately ₹50,000, which includes a yearly fee of ₹4,500 for accommodation and ₹1,800 per month for meals. This means students pay around ₹21,600 annually for meals, bringing the total hostel-related expenditure to ₹50,100 per year. Despite this moderate cost, many students are still behind on their payments, prompting the university to take strict action.
Barkatullah University’s hostel facilities are generally regarded as satisfactory by the students. Each hostel has common rooms and recreation rooms to offer students a space to relax and socialize outside of their academic commitments. The hostel mess serves food considered average in quality and affordable for students.
Barkatullah University provides separate hostels for male and female students, with three hostels designated for boys and another three for girls. Each hostel has 50 rooms, and the accommodation arrangement involves two students sharing each room. This ensures a total capacity of approximately 300 students across all the hostels. The room-sharing setup helps students form close-knit relationships, vital in a communal living environment.
While the hostel facilities have received praise for offering essential amenities, the mess food has drawn mixed reviews. Many students describe it as average but affordable, making it a decent option for those on a budget. The university claims to monitor the food quality and the overall hostel environment regularly.
The decision to ban Durga Puja celebrations over unpaid fees has stirred dissatisfaction among students, who argue that such a drastic move might affect their right to cultural and religious celebrations. Durga Puja, a widely celebrated festival in India, holds significant cultural importance for many students. However, the administration remains firm, stating that the unpaid fees are creating a financial strain on the institution and strict measures are necessary to ensure compliance with payment deadlines.
While students are calling for the university to reconsider the ban, the administration hopes this step will encourage more students to clear their dues on time, thus enabling the university to maintain its facilities and services without disruption. The controversy continues, with both sides waiting to see if a compromise can be reached before the festive season.