Hygiene in Jamia: Is It Up to the Mark?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqiZBrvM08g

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The Supreme Court of India declared, on January 15, 2025, that “easy access to clean public toilets for all — including men, women, persons with disabilities, and transgender persons — is not just a matter of convenience but a basic right and an essential part of human dignity”.

The judge who authored the verdict also observed that apart from installing clean washrooms, States and UTs also have a responsibility to maintain these restrooms throughout the year. Though the verdict was delivered as a result of a petition highlighting the terrible conditions of washrooms in courts and tribunals, it also applies to every institution of the state, because the Constitution of India has recognised access to proper sanitation as a fundamental right under Article 21.

Thus, one might expect the Central University Jamia Millia Islamia, which is ranked 3rd by NIRF among all the universities across India, to have basic facilities such as clean and properly maintained washrooms for students. However, the students narrate a completely different reality. The washrooms are poorly maintained and lack regular cleaning. The Jamia Review spoke to the students about their experiences with the washrooms and this is what they had to say about it.

In most of the washrooms, there seems to be some problem or the other, there’s no running water, no electricity, no soap, malfunctioning flushes, leaking pipes, low lighting, no proper mugs, no pad dispenser, clogged sinks, no mirrors, bad odour penetrating outside the washrooms, overflowing dustbins, and some don't even have doors. Another major problem is the lack of disability friendly washrooms. The washrooms don’t have ramps, handrail support for differently abled students, and are too small to even be usable, violating UGC guidelines, which mandate all these provisions. Due to the washrooms’ poor conditions, many students avoid using them at all.

Properly functioning washrooms are one of the most basic necessities that any university should provide, yet we see a clear lack of them here. This isn’t just about convenience, it's a matter of hygiene, accessibility and basic dignity. It’s high time the administration addresses these issues to ensure that all students have access to clean, functional, and inclusive facilities.

Script: Mukaram Shakeel and Sidra Aman for TJR.

Camera: Selina, Azka, Ashraf, Junaid for TJR.