The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has received an e-mail requesting non-vegetarian students to use ‘only the tray-type plates’ meant for ‘non-veg dishes’ in the hostel mess. The e-mail, dated January 12, was sent to the administration of hostel 11 by the mess council which consists of students.
“I am getting complaints from many students who want students who eat non-vegetarian food to use separate plates. Therefore, this is a request to all non-veg eaters, to please only use the tray type plates meant specially for non-veg dishes during dinner. Please do not use the main plates for non-veg dishes,” read the email, reports the Indian Express.
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The email sparked a controversy and many questioned the segregation based on food preferences.
There were many angry reactions on Twitter:
IIT Bombay mess admin demands that everyone in the hostel practice untouchability in direct and gross breach of the constitution and all laws https://t.co/qaiBOF50Au
— Alok ಪ್ರಸನ್ನ कुमार (@alokpi) January 15, 2018
#Food #Apartheid in India. IIT – Bombay, a premier technical institute in India asks students who eat meat to use separate plates. This is nothing but racist and casteist. https://t.co/DlmjOmtZIs
— onyeka (@JamProlio) January 16, 2018
Dear @iitbombay what will u be inspired by? …. The next century or the 13th century?
Choose well. pic.twitter.com/QjjnPBOHA2— Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) January 17, 2018
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However, the mess council later clarified that the e-mail was sent to enforce the ‘separate plates for non-vegetarians’ rule which was already in place. “For years, non-vegetarian food has been served in a separate plate and we only asked students to maintain the rule. This was not meant to offend anyone,” said a student, reports the Hindustan Times.
