By TN Education Desk

Copyright timesnownews

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur has directed that no separate seating arrangements for vegetarians and non-vegetarians should be made in the dining hall. This directive comes a few weeks after an email was reportedly circulated among student residents of the institute’s BR Ambedkar Hall of Residence mandating “compliance with vegetarian and non-vegetarian seating arrangements” in the dining hall. As per media reports, a circular was issued by the IIT on September 7 which stressed that segregation of mess food should be done only while the food is being prepared, and not in seating arrangements in the hall. “It is hereby advised to all the Halls of Residence that the segregation of mess food in terms of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Jain and other categories should be done only at the levels of preparation and distribution. There must not be any such segregation for seating in the dining hall,” The Indian Express stated. IIT Director Dr Suman Chakraborty has also refuted any claims of such directives being issued by the institute ever. Stating it as ‘against the institutional policy of equality’, she told media that the institute encourages its students ‘to have their food together at the same place’. Reports state that the earlier directive was issued in an email that was sent by Nilanjan Paul (general secretary of B R Ambedkar Hall) to 1,300 residents. The mail was circulated following a few complaints against this matter. The mail stated that there was an increase in the number of boarders occupying vegetarian tables while eating eggs, fish, or chicken. The mail had also stated that ‘the mess seating rules and shows a lack of respect for others’ food preferences, affecting a harmonious environment’.