Stephenians boycott cafe to support dhaba owner

The St Stephen’s alumni are following the Gandhian way to protest the curb imposed by the college authorities on Rohtas Dhaba.

The St Stephen’s alumni are following the Gandhian way to protest the curb imposed by the college authorities on Rohtas Dhaba.

HT Image

Boycotting the college café, located just next to the dhaba, is what some alumni are advocating since one of the college administration’s arguments behind not allowing the eatery to sell rolls was to avoid any competition with the cafe.

“The best way to protest is by boycotting the cafetaria. Sukhiya (the dhaba owner) is being unfairly targeted,” said Dilip Simeon, a former Stephenian and a well-known historian, who taught at Ramjas College for 20 years.

In mid-September, the administration of St Stephen’s College came down heavily on the dhaba, which is located right outside the cafetaria. The authorities said that Sukhiya was selling chicken and vegetable rolls without any permission.

Nandita Narain, former dean, St Stephen’s College, however rubbishes this.

“Rohtas has been selling the rolls for more than five years. The permission was formalised by Reverend Valson Thampu (St Stephen’s principal) when he had asked me, as the dean, to grant signed permission to Rohtas. This permission was counter signed by the cafe adviser,” said Narain.

Since the dhaba has existed on the campus for many decades now, the issue was noticed by many. An online campaign, ‘Save Rohtas and Sukhia Dhaba’ was started and this has been signed by close to 1,000 people.

Principal, Valson Thampu, did not respond to calls or messages.