The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras is in the news witnessing a 30 per cent increase in the placements for 2018-19. It is time for the final year students running through nervous and happiness at a time. However, it could not last very long as IIT Madras was caught in a raging controversy after the campus hostel staff published details about finding used condoms inside a student’s room on the public notice board. The students took to Twitter claiming that it was a violation of their privacy and dignity. SNDT Hostel Warden in Mumbai Forces Female Student to Strip, Students Protest. 

According to The New Indian Express, the staff conducted a vigilance check at Brahmaputra men’s hostel. During the surprise visit, the authorities came across several banned items like iron boxes, egg boiler, electric kettle, water cooler, mini fridge, water heater rod, etc. In one of the rooms, they found 20 cigarette butts, matchboxes and used condoms in the dustbin. And the irony is instead of appreciating the student to indulge in safe sex; the hostel office chose to shame him publicly for possessing the condoms. In the campus hostel notice board, the name of the student, details of items found in his room was mentioned. 'Stop Talking to Boys', Odisha University Tells Girls of Rohini Hostel. 

Students expressed their anger over lack of their privacy on social media.

IIT Madras Hostel staff did not just end the matter here. They went ahead and imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 for those who will own condoms. After the incident created abuzz in the campus, many female students came forward with their stories and disclosed ill-behaviour portrayed by the hostel staff. One of the students was quoted in the same report as saying, “A vigilance security officer asked if the room and bed was comfortable enough when I was at a boy's hostel during their visit.” The Dean Students’ office has disproved all the allegations put forward by the students and reported to inquire further if at all that happened.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 05, 2018 12:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).