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1984-built SRK hostel building turned into officeOT, 0 IST Okhla Times Campus Reporter/Jamia Millia Islamia
Those who studied at the internationally-famed Central University Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) know well about SRK hostel. It was the hub of political activities. Most of the movements in JMI were launched from this hostel. Chock-a-block with some 250 students, it was full of life even at night time. Of late SRK has gone quiet, thanks to the administration that has turned the hostel building into office premises. The authorities managed the show so well that the whole shifting process didn’t attract students’ attention. During the 2010 Common Wealth Games in Delhi, students were asked to vacate the SRK hostel. They were moved to a new hostel built close to Pink House, said an insider. When some students protested, they were told that it was a temporary move and once the building was refurbished they would be shifted back, he added. But three months have gone by and nothing has happened. Right now most of the floors of the building have been occupied by offices, including Jamia Old Boys’ Association, Jamia Administrations, Career Coaching planning and others. Some Alumni, who had resided in the hostel, are upset with the development. “Hostels are not meant for offices. It was built in 1984 and was the first well furnished hostel with all the facilities,” said a trader, who once resided in this hostel on the condition of anonymity. Some senior university employees are also not happy with the turn of event. But they don’t want to come to the front to protest for fear of being sidelined by the authorities. “By shifting students from the SRK to other hostels, the university has intelligently weakened students’ movement. Besides it was always difficult for the authorities to handle so many students. All said, there is still scarcity of hostels,” said an alumnus. When contacted, JMI media coordinator did not return the call.
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