Tension has been reported at the University of Madras hostel in Taramani after a controversy over meat choices triggered protests and counter-demands among students.
The hostel houses more than 400 students and serves non-vegetarian food three days a week. On Sundays, an additional non-veg item is typically provided based on students’ preferences.
During a hostel general body meeting held last month, some students sought to include beef as the Sunday option, but the hostel administration did not act on the request. The issue then spilled into a hostel WhatsApp group, where objections were raised.
Following this, a group of students staged a protest on the night of April 10. The protest was called off after the administration said a committee would be formed and appropriate action would be taken.
However, the situation escalated again after some students allegedly violated hostel rules and cooked and ate beef on the premises without permission. In response, another group demanded that pork be cooked for them, raising fears of a confrontation and prompting calls for immediate administrative intervention.
