KALABURAGI, 1 AUG

Alleging that a hostel warden allegedly assaulted a female student, students at the Smt. Indira Gandhi Women’s Nursing Hostel in Kalaburagi staged a dharna late into the night on Thursday.

The hostel, run by the Department of Backward Classes Welfare, witnessed tense scenes as several students refused dinner and held a dharna in front of the premises on High Court Ring Road.

According to one student, Devamma, the incident occurred when students were raising concerns about the quality of food being served. The warden, Archana, then slapped and physically assaulted a student.

“We have come from distant places, and is it wrong to question the facilities being provided to us by the government?” she said.

Bhagyashree added, “There are worms in the food, especially in the side dishes. They serve us such food regularly. The water tank has not been cleaned for over three months. If we question them, the warden intimidates us.”

The students demanded immediate action and the removal of Archana. The students also raised several demands, including the provision of basic amenities such as proper beds, clean drinking water, CCTV cameras, security personnel, and cleanliness around the hostel.

Officials from the Backward Classes Welfare Department visited the spot and inspected the hostel’s condition.

“There are indeed many issues related to water, sanitation, tank cleaning, and general hygiene.” District Deputy Backward Classes Welfare Department Kalaburagi Somshekhar Y, told SALAR NEWS. “We will work to resolve these problems." 

Regarding the dismissal of the warden, necessary action will be taken.”