New Delhi: A student group at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has staged a protest against fines imposed on seven residents of Koyna Hostel for allegedly sharing their mess food, terming the action “unjustified”.

According to a notice issued by the hostel administration, the students were found “transferring/selling their allotted mess food to other individuals,” in violation of provisions in the Hostel Manual concerning impersonation and misuse of mess facilities. The notice asked the identified residents to pay the fine within seven days and warned that repeat violations could invite stricter measures, including the filing of an FIR.

The order stated that impersonation — eating or signing the diet register on behalf of a bona fide student — is prohibited and may attract disciplinary action.

Responding to the development, the Democratic Students' Federation (DSF) argued that the students had already paid for their meals and were merely sharing food with friends. The group demanded that the notices be withdrawn and called for scrapping what it described as an “anti-student” hostel manual.

There was no immediate response from the university administration.