Shift all foreign students to hostels; explain local sensitivities: Government to Raipur educational institutions

A view of a boys’ hostel at a leading Indian university. Photo for representative purposes | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Chhattisgarh government on Monday (September 21, 2026) instructed educational institutions in Raipur to relocate all foreign students currently residing in private rented accommodations to campus accommodation, and guide them on aspects such as “customs” and “local social norms”. The decision was taken after locals complained of indiscipline or unlawful activities, according to a statement issued by the Raipur (Rural) police. The instructions were issued following a meeting between Raipur Collector Gaurav Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police (Rural) Shweta Srivastava Sinha, and the Vice-Chancellors and representatives of various universities and educational institutions operating in Raipur district, the statement added. “Universities and educational institutions were directed to ensure proper arrangements for the accommodation and transportation of foreign students. Instructions were issued to relocate foreign students currently residing outside university/college hostels—such as in private houses, PGs, or other locations—to secure hostels provided by or affiliated with the institution within the next 15 to 30 days,” said a senior police officer. The officer added that the administration and police had been receiving complaints and information from local citizens regarding foreign students from time to time. “In some instances, complaints have arisen regarding the apprehension of students engaging in indiscipline or unlawful activities. Taking these complaints into account, institutions have been directed to ensure effective monitoring, counseling, and disciplinary mechanisms at their own level,” the officer said. Another police officer told The Hindu that there are roughly 1,000 foreign national students studying in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the district, with a regular increase in enrollments in recent years. Of them, 99% hail from countries in Africa and a majority of these foreign students are enrolled in two private universities on the outskirts of Raipur. This officer said that barring one instance, there have been no major crimes committed by the foreign nationals, but there are run-ins with the locals over issues such as playing loud music late at night. The students, on the other hand, choose to live outside the campus for various reasons, a critical one being the unavailability of their food of choice that includes meat dishes. The police statement noted that during the meeting, it was also discussed that the social and cultural backgrounds of students arriving from various countries may differ from the local social and cultural context in India. “Therefore, universities should provide foreign students with necessary information and guidance regarding Indian laws, local social norms, customs, public conduct, and local sensitivities,” it added. Published - September 21, 2026 03:19 pm IST