Food politics at JNU

The New Materialists' is a group of students in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who have come together to fight the caste system on campus and in the country. The group is based on the ideologies of Marx, Periyar and Ambedkar. The group, formed around a year back to assert their rights as part of the campaign to abolish the Brahminical influence prevalent on campus , has come up with a demand to include beef and pork in the food served in the canteens at JNU.

According to the members, the university campus, dominated by the Leftaligned organisations and ideology is Brahminical in nature. "We feel it is important to form this group to raise the issue of caste politics. Our ultimate goal is to abolish caste divisions on campus and later in society. Our first step in this direction is to do away with the food politics. Hence, we want both beef and pork to be served on campus," says Ananda Krishna Raj, member of the group, pursuing MPhil in international law at JNU.

The group has been distributing pamphlets and putting up posters to raise awareness about the campaign for some time, however, the first public meeting was held on March 20, where students and faculty members were present.

The group feels that the varsity is a multi-cultural place, with students from all parts of the country. "Why should the culture and food habits at a democratic campus be dominated by only a single majority? There are around more than 600 northeastern and south Indian students on campus. First objective of the campaign is to ensure beef and pork are available at the Northeast dhabha, which specialises in northeastern food and later they are included in the hostel mess as well," says Raj.

There are around 300 international students on campus and they are supporting the cause as well though they are not a part of the group. The group has a dedicated a facebook page as the JNU beef, pork eating community. However, the university administration is not amused, says Sudha Pai, rector, JNU, "This is not a campaign. The issue is not important enough to be discussed."