KALABURAGI: Students residing at the Babu Jagjivan Ram SC/ST Boys’ Hostel on Rajapur Road in Kalaburagi are living in deplorable conditions, according to complaints raised by hostel residents and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). The hostel, which is run by the Department of Social Welfare, houses post-matric students from Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
The students have alleged that they are routinely served infested and unhygienic meals, with worms and cockroaches found in their food. “We’ve complained multiple times, but the warden, Sanjukumar, never takes it seriously,” said one student.
SFI district secretary Sujata V highlighted further serious issues:
-
Contaminated water used for both cooking and bathrooms
Kitchen staff under the influence of tobacco, gutkha, and sometimes alcohol
Irregular visits by the warden—only once or twice a week
Outsiders frequenting the premises, contributing to substance abuse culture
Negligent oversight by taluk-level officials
“The staff refuse to take responsibility for sanitation. Students are left to suffer while wardens act with impunity,” Sujata added. Despite multiple written complaints to the department, students say there has been no response or follow-up.
In response to the outcry, Preeti Chandrashekar Doddmani, Joint Director of the Social Welfare Department, assured action. “I will personally inspect the hostel and take necessary steps based on what I find,” she told HT.
The SFI and affected students are urging the Social Welfare Minister to intervene immediately, demanding accountability, clean food, safe accommodation, and regular monitoring.
#HostelNegligence #KalaburagiCrisis #StudentWelfareFail #SocialJusticeNow