“Snakes, Rats, Bedbugs” – Pune University Hostels in Crisis
Reported by Kajal Bhukan
Pune, 25th July 2025: Students at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) continue to grapple with inadequate hostel accommodation and unhygienic living conditions. In response, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Pune University unit, has submitted a memorandum to the hostel superintendent, urging immediate corrective measures.
The student organisation highlighted the urgent need for sufficient hostel facilities for both male and female students. Many newcomers, despite attending regular classes, have been left without proper accommodation and are compelled to opt for expensive private options or makeshift arrangements.
One of ABVP’s key demands is the immediate opening of Boys’ Hostel No. 10, which has remained shut for over two years despite construction being completed.
“We were informed that the hostel is ready, but the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has not issued the required clearance. When we raised the issue, the administration failed to give a clear or valid reason. Their vague and evasive replies show a serious lack of accountability,” said Tanishk Shelke, President of ABVP’s Pune University unit.
The organisation also opposed the ₹100 per day fee being charged for transit accommodation, which is being levied on students awaiting hostel allotments. Female students arriving early for lectures are being asked to pay this fee for using common rooms temporarily.
“This adds up to nearly ₹3,000 per month, while the official annual hostel fee is only ₹4,000 to ₹5,000. This is an unfair financial burden. We have submitted a request to waive the fee, and a meeting is scheduled tomorrow to address the issue,” Shelke added.
In addition to the accommodation crisis, the student body raised serious concerns about the quality of drinking water, hygiene, and general safety in the hostels. Many students have reportedly fallen ill after consuming water from tanks that are not regularly cleaned.
“The absence of water coolers and basic sanitation shows clear administrative negligence. We demand the immediate installation of water coolers and implementation of routine sanitation,” Shelke said.
The situation is further compounded by recurring infestations of bedbugs and alarming reports of snakes and rats within hostel premises.
“When students report such incidents, officials often dismiss them as ‘common occurrences.’ Brushing off snake sightings as normal is not only insensitive but poses a serious risk to student safety,” Shelke remarked.
Another long-standing demand is the inclusion of student representatives in hostel management decisions.
“Currently, students are only part of the food committee. We believe there should be structured student representation in hostel governance to improve transparency and accountability,” Shelke said.
Notably, this is not the first student protest related to hostel conditions. Earlier, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) had also staged a protest demanding immediate action on pending allotments and improvement in hostel infrastructure.
The ABVP is awaiting a response in the upcoming meeting and has expressed hope that the university administration will act in good faith to address these persistent grievances.
“These issues are not isolated; they reveal deeper systemic problems that compromise student welfare and dignity. If SPPU aspires to maintain its reputation as a premier educational institution, it must ensure basic infrastructure and a safe, respectful living environment for all students,” Shelke asserted.
