Haryana Agri University on boil: Women students allege harassment, food cut-off, warn campus-wide shutdown on July 2

The Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) in Hisar is at the center of a spiraling student protest, as women students accuse the administration of punitive food denial and harassment amid a growing campus agitation.

What began as outrage over a June 10 assault incident has now escalated into a full-blown crisis, with protesters threatening a complete shutdown of the university on July 2.

The tension reached a flashpoint on June 27 night when hostel residents alleged they were denied dinner. PhD student Nikita, visibly distressed, confronted university officials on June 28: “We are standing hungry in front of you. What is our crime?” she asked.

“Last night, we pleaded with folded hands for food, but the warden refused to even speak to us. We finally got food at 11 PM only after police intervened.”

She further revealed that the next morning, the warden once again declared that no food would be served.

University authorities have claimed that hostels were vacated as part of a routine post-exam schedule to allow repairs and renovations. Director of Students’ Welfare, Dr S K Pahuja, stated there was no academic requirement for students to remain, as classes had ended over a month ago.

But students refute the explanation. “I have my thesis due in 10 days,” Nikita said. “We’ve stayed during summer before with special permission and were never denied food. Why now?”

Another student questioned the officials’ empathy: “Had your daughter been here, would she be treated like this?”

Director of Research Dr Rajbir Garg denied the allegations, calling the food denial claims “misleading” and asserting that summer hostel evacuations are a long-standing policy.

Still, students say the issue runs deeper. The current unrest was triggered by an alleged assault on students by university officials and guards on June 10 during a protest against revised stipend eligibility norms — a change students say jeopardizes their ability to complete research work.

Protesters are demanding accountability for the assault and the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Dr B.R. Kamboj. Former student union presidents Inderjit Singh, Virendra Singh Malik, and Phool Singh Sheokand backed the protest in a joint statement, condemning what they called a “hostile attitude” by the administration.

“The denial of food and water to female students is a grave human rights violation,” the statement read. “Such actions have no place in a civilised society.”

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda accused the university of “suppressing student voices at the behest of the state government.” He also flagged irregularities in recent exam results, alleging “70% of students failed, just three days after final exams — this is academic sabotage.”

With over 1,800 students on campus and unrest simmering for 17 days, the university faces a growing credibility crisis. As the deadline nears, the administration must weigh whether procedural justifications will hold in the face of rising moral outrage — or if July 2 will mark a turning point in student-led resistance.