Aligarh Muslim University: ‘The Mosquitoes Meant for You Are Biting Me Instead’—Roommates Clash Over Mosquito Net

Aligarh: A violent altercation broke out between two undergraduate students at Aligarh Muslim University’s SS North Hall over the installation of a mosquito net. The dispute between these roommates—one a second-year BA student and the other a third-year student—began when the Kashmiri student put up a mosquito net over his bed. The roommate, a resident of Ghazipur, claimed that this obstructed the airflow from the cooler, causing all the mosquitoes in the room to start biting him instead. The verbal argument escalated into a physical brawl, and both students subsequently filed written complaints against each other at the Proctor’s Office; the university administration is now investigating the matter.

The Mosquito Net: The Root of the Dispute
This bizarre dispute originated when a Kashmiri student, residing in a room at SS North Hall, installed a mosquito net to protect himself from mosquitoes. His roommate, a native of Ghazipur, took strong exception to this. His reasoning was truly baffling: he alleged that, due to the presence of the mosquito net, the mosquitoes were now gravitating toward him in greater numbers. The student remarked, “Even the mosquitoes meant for you are now biting me.”

Allegations of Air Obstruction and Physical Assault
The conflict was not limited solely to the issue of mosquitoes. The student from Ghazipur leveled a second allegation: that the mosquito net was preventing the airflow from the room’s cooler from reaching him. These seemingly trivial grievances soon escalated into a major altercation. In a matter of moments, the verbal spat between the two students devolved into an exchange of profanities, followed by a physical scuffle. Both students remained adamant in their stance, causing tensions to flare within the hostel environment.

The Matter Reaches the Proctor’s Office
Given the gravity of the situation, both students lodged complaints with the Proctor’s Office. AMU Proctor Professor Naveed Ali Khan confirmed that the incident involved undergraduate students from the second and third years. He stated that efforts are currently underway to resolve the matter by counseling and mediating between the students. However, he also made it clear in stern terms that if anyone takes the law into their own hands, appropriate action will be taken against them.