HRD ministry suggests IITs get separate canteen for vegetarian students

The human resource ministry has asked IITs to explore the possibility of having a separate eating space for vegetarian students as non-vegetarian food was “deviating them away from the Indian value system”.

A communication in this regard was sent by the Ministry in Hindi to IITs after it received a representation from Katni-based trader S K Jain, who demanded a separate eating space and mess for students consuming vegetarian food.

Jain’s letter has been forwarded to IITs along with a cover letter from the Ministry, asking them to keep the ministry informed of action taken.

IIT Delhi, however, said the communication was just a “suggestion” and it was up to the IITs to decide on the feasibility of the proposal.

“This is not a directive and just a suggestion,” Dean of students welfare S K Gupta said, adding, they have not yet responded to the letter. “We will have to see, if it is not possible what we can do,” he said to a question.

Jain, in his letter to HRD Minister Smriti Irani has contended, “children who have started practicing non- vegetarianism have saddened their parents by their ‘tamasic’ behaviour.”

They are deviating from the Indian value system because food has direct correlation with their thoughts." "It is the call of the parents of India that IITs and other institutions segregate their dining halls for vegetarians," he said, with a copy forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well.