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Almost a year since inauguration, Mumbai University’s new hostel for international students in its Kalina campus remains unused.
The hostel, having capacity of 146 students, was inaugurated in July 2022 by the then governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
The new facility is aimed at providing accommodation to varsity’s international students after its old international students’ hostel in Churchgate was closed after the structure was declared dangerous to live-in a few years ago.
Students’ unions have complained how a ready hostel lies unoccupied, when students are struggling to find accommodation in Mumbai, as the new academic year has begun.
“Why did the government rush to take credit for inauguration of the hostel, when it is yet not ready to be used, after almost a year since inauguration?” questioned Rohit Dhale from Chatrabharati students’ organisation.
“If varsity does not have adequate international students, it should be opened for PhD students of varsity who are currently struggling to look for accommodation in Mumbai,” he added.
An official from Mumbai University said, “The process to start the hostel is in its final leg and soon the hostel will open for admission.” The hostel was caught in controversy over its name.
At the time of inauguration, Koshyari had urged it to be named after Veer Savarkar. Koshyari had insisted that Savarkar had described the 1857 uprising as the “First War of Independence” and naming the hostel after him will enhance the respect for India in the hearts of students.
But it was soon objected by few students’ unions who wanted it to be named after Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
According to students if the hostel has to be named after a personality it should be of someone who has worked for students, irrespective of the caste and community they belonged to and promoted teachings of equality.
Chantrabharati students’ organisation has written a letter to Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni as well as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to start the hostel facility along with their demand to name it after Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
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