Autos, rickshaws refuse to go to area

For students living in Jamia Nagar, the past week has been one punctuated with problems of all shapes and sizes. Even a task as simple as going back home has assumed the proportion of a mini challenge.

For students living in Jamia Nagar, the past week has been one punctuated with problems of all shapes and sizes. Even a task as simple as going back home has assumed the proportion of a mini challenge.

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With autorickshaw drivers and rickshaw pullers reluctant to ferry passengers to Jamia Nagar, especially Batla House, the journey back home for students is not a pleasant one.

Farah Imam Tyagi, an MA student of Conflict Analysis and Peace Building at Jamia Millia Islamia University, has even had to walk home from the university on a few days.

“Ever since the encounter, it’s become difficult to convince rickshaw pullers to ferry us anywhere close to the encounter area. Some of them have even started asking for more than the usual rate. My home in Jogabai Extension is not too far from Batla House,” she said.

It’s not just the short journey from university to home that’s turned a tad bit difficult. “Getting an autorickshaw back to my hostel from areas in South Delhi seems to have become virtually impossible. The drivers feel this area is trouble-prone.

Students residing in Batla House face much bigger problems. The area, which has put a roof over students for long, seems to no longer have any space for them. Several frightened landlords have asked students to vacate their rooms.

Ashfaq (name changed), a Jamia Millia student, says job prospects have also been affected. “My friend, who is an electrical engineering student, did not get his offer letter because the company had a problem with his address. It seems having Batla House as your mailing address is now a good enough reason for people to be prejudiced against you,” he said.