The complaint alleges university staff are pressuring students in private hostels to vacate and move to university hostels, while also forcing them to pay hostel fees. Copies have been sent to Minister Nara Lokesh
Published Jan 21, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 21, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Private hostel managers appeal to CM Naidu for help against harassment by Mohan Babu University authorities
The managements of private hostels in Andhra Pradesh have lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that the staff of Mohan Babu University in Tirupati are threatening them.
According to the complaint, the university staff are pressurising students staying in private hostels to vacate and join the university hostels.
Even if the students do not move to the university hostels, they are allegedly being forced to pay hostel fees. Copies of the complaint have also been sent to IT and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh.
There are allegations that bouncers are being sent to threaten the hostel owners and harass the students. The hostel managements claim that the threats have been ongoing for some time, and though they have endured it until now, the escalating harassment forced them to report the issue to the chief minister and Minister Lokesh.
“We have been earning our livelihood by running hostels for the past 10 years. How can we suddenly vacate? Running private hostels is not a crime. But Mohan Babu University staff are harassing us. It is highly inappropriate,” said the private hostel owners.
It is further alleged that university authorities were telling the students who are staying in private hostels that they will not receive hall tickets unless they pay Rs 20,000.
The hostel owners admitted that, until now, they were afraid of even lodging a complaint with the police for fear of reprisals.
Despite the private hostels providing good facilities, pressure is being exerted on students staying in private hostels to join the university hostels.
The hostel managements also pointed out that copies of the complaint addressed to the chief minister and Minister Lokesh have been sent to the Tirupati Collector. However, the administration of Mohan Babu University has yet to respond to these allegations. This controversy erupted close on the heels of the emergence of disputes in Mohan Babu’s family.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
