Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) yesterday constituted a four-member fact-finding committee to investigate a CCTV video footage concerning the mess of one of its school hostels and to establish the facts surrounding an incident in which allegations were raised about the presence of a chameleon in a student’s bowl of pulses. JMI is actively seeking help from government investigating agencies to examine the footage.
The CCTV footage appears to show one of the hostel residents taking his bowl of pulses under a mess table, following which a group of students reportedly created a commotion alleging that a chameleon had been found in the bowl. The university administration has decided to have the entire footage examined objectively by the committee, including the circumstances leading up to the incident and the actions and roles of those involved.
The 4-member committee has been mandated to ascertain the facts and determine whether the incident was a part of any deliberate attempt to create disruption or bring disrepute to the university’s hostel messes. The JMI administration has directed that appropriate action shall be taken against individuals involved in this incident, in compliance with applicable rules, in the event that any deliberate wrongdoing, fabrication, misinformation or other misconduct is established.
JMI emphasizes that its hostel messes have been serving students for several decades and that food quality and hygiene are routinely monitored by the hostel administration including its provosts, wardens, caretakers, besides, well-functioning mess committees comprising hostel residents. It is further noteworthy that university authorities, including the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar occasionally have lunch and dinner in the Boys' and Girls' hostel messes in order to keep a check on the quality of food being served to the residents. The University also points out that its mess charges remain one of the lowest in comparison with other universities in the National Capital Region of Delhi, while continuous efforts are made to maintain high standards of food quality, and hygiene.
In order to strengthen transparency and continuous monitoring, the university has decided to install additional CCTV cameras in all its hostel messes as well as in their respective kitchens. The surveillance system will enable monitoring of food preparation, catering and other related activities in the kitchen and mess areas on a 24/7 basis.
JMI administration has also expressed deep concern over what it views as concerted attempts to disturb the normal functioning of its hostels and the larger academic environment through unsubstantiated allegations, misinformation or disruptive activities including, circulation of reels and videos on social media platforms. The administration has made it clear that any person found deliberately spreading misinformation or making allegations without substantive factual and verifiable evidence, is liable to face action under the existing rules.
JMI appeals to students to refrain from circulating unverified material, including social media content/videos and clips that are deliberately designed to tarnish the reputation of the over 105-year-old institution. The university administration has assured students that genuine concerns relating to food quality, hygiene or hostel facilities will be addressed on a priority basis. JMI reiterates that maintaining a safe, enabling and supportive environment for students and residents remains its principal objective and that all necessary measures will be taken to safeguard the academic interests of students while ensuring that best practices and highest standards are upheld in its hostels and messes.
