Guwahati: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), the premier body representing student communities across the eight states of Northeast India, has vociferously called for justice, transparency, and genuine inclusion in the allocation of accommodations at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) Barak Hostel in New Delhi.
In a formal representation addressed to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), NESO conveyed its profound apprehension regarding the First Allotment List for Barak Hostel, issued on April 8, 2025. The student body contends that this list flagrantly disregards the fundamental agreement stipulating that 75% of the hostel seats be reserved for students hailing from the Northeast, a provision enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by JNU, the North Eastern Council (NEC), and the Ministry of DoNER.
NESO underscored that the establishment of Barak Hostel was a direct outcome of the persistent marginalization, discrimination, and systemic exclusion experienced by students from the Northeast in institutions located in other parts of India. The organization firmly stated that the hostel is not a mere act of benevolence but rather a significant achievement secured through sustained advocacy and an institutional acknowledgment of the unique challenges faced by the region’s students.
Standing in solidarity with the North East Students’ Forum (NESF) at JNU, NESO has articulated a clear set of demands. These include the immediate annulment of the First Allotment List dated April 8, 2025, and a restriction on initial allotments to only one-fifth of the total available seats until a transparent and inclusive process is guaranteed. Furthermore, NESO insists on the public disclosure of the MoU and all pertinent documents to ensure accountability. The organization also demands the prioritization of students from the Northeast in accordance with the original purpose of the hostel, a written assurance from the JNU administration affirming its commitment to the MoU terms, and the formal recognition of NESF as the legitimate representative body for all matters concerning Barak Hostel.
Describing the current allotment process as “exclusionary” and a “betrayal of institutional trust,” NESO cautioned that inaction on this matter would severely undermine the confidence of marginalized communities in central universities. The organization further emphasized that superficial representation without meaningful inclusion is nothing more than a hollow gesture.
In its concluding statement, NESO urgently appealed to the Ministry of DoNER to take immediate and decisive steps to uphold the foundational principles upon which Barak Hostel was established. The organization has also declared its intent to closely monitor the unfolding situation and is prepared to escalate the issue through further action if necessary.
Read More: Sikkim Media Fraternity Observes World Press Freedom Day, Grapples with AI’s Impact