The Union Home Ministry had not long back since the nationwide lockdown was first imposed issued an order saying no landlord will force low level workers or those unable to make payment on their home rent during the coronavirus pandemic period. However, the situation is adverse for quite a many around the country as numerous people have narrated stories of their hardships in securing money to pay their rent leading to either disagreements and sometimes ugly spats with their homeowners. With the issue still a highly volatile one considering many are unable to make the payments owing to imbalances that have been caused in their jobs, there is a general unrest among all parties in this context.

The Students Federation of India (SFI) too had solicited the Government from National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to suspend rents for students, who were residing in apartments they had rented in Delhi through the period of lockdown for a specific period of time. The situation is quite similar for working people in many parts of India who are unable to make payment for their rents amid which a good number of landlords have been pressuring them to pay. The issue reached new heights when on Sunday the hashtag #PayOurRoomRent began trending nationwide catching the eyes of many who too narrated their own experiences of hardship and tribulations.

There were several incidents that came to light on Sunday with many people especially in North India using the #PayOurRoomRent hashtag to speak about the troubles they had encountered from their landlords and others who were pressuring them during the lockdown period. A few managed to shed light on their plight with many agreeing and acknowledging their sorrows, disappointment, anger, and expectations. Below are a few:

We see a village youth say how he's unable to pay his rent and the response his landlord has given to leave the room. He speaks about the unfavorable situation around him and requests the government to intervene.

In this pandemic we do not able to pay rent but our landlord call us and said pay rent otherwise leave the room. we live in village and not able to go to empty the room in this situation. We request the government that children should not be charged this time.#NoRoomRent pic.twitter.com/s3MNXj04JC

— Sarvagya Jain (@imsrvgya) May 16, 2020

Another common request put forward to the government is the cancellation of rent for at least a period of three months as many are unable to shell out money as a result of the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We can't afford rent in this pandemic situation and due to lockdown, condition of our houses is not good enough. We demand cancellation of rent for at least three months. Plzz listen to us.#PayOurRoomRent@JavanSinghMeena

— Javan Singh Meena (@JavanSinghMeena) May 31, 2020

Students have been facing a huge brunt due to the lockdown with many coming from the lower strata of the society and are at present jobless and unable to make ends meet from any means. Again, the request for the government to step in has been made by many.

Most of the students who takes room on rent are from farmers, labour, poor community. At this time they are jobless and can't earn money from any source. Both the central and state government should solve this problem and pay student room rent. #PayOurRoomRent@FOUNDERofMMES

— Rkjilowa (@RahulGautom1105) May 31, 2020

Working professionals have been facing a situation no different and we see how the lockdown has resulted in the loss of jobs and many unable to settle their rent with some going through additional harrowing experiences such as this young woman.

My landlady doesnt want to cut me any slack in rent even after telling her that I lost my job.I have my stuff in Delhi but I'm in my hometown Rajasthan currently due to lockdown. Cant even evacuate and cant pay 10k each month. Please #PayOurRoomRent @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty

— Sneha Rai (@sneharai021) May 31, 2020

Below are some more people explaining their narratives with their opinions and memes on the issue of non-payment of rents to their places of stay:

House rent should be arranged for students studying from rural areas to cities. Hiring of students is a very important issue, if the government takes appropriate action on this issue, then the sons of millions of poor farmers will get relief.
#PayOurRoomRent
@ashokgehlot51 pic.twitter.com/930DdcCoiN

— Rohit meena (@rohitmeena55) May 31, 2020

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#PayOurRoomRent ╚═════════════════╝
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Retweet if you Agree @harsana_vikas 🙏 pic.twitter.com/MBY2viYz3j

— विकास सिंह गुर्जर 💯% FB (@harsana_vikas) May 31, 2020

Lakhs of students tweet daily regarding hostel rents no respond until now..not possible that none read it..it is possible that all of you have neglected if..it's not issue of one it's concern of many. please take action #PayOurRoomRent @JaipurTeam @VikasMeena23

— Aman Meena (@AmanMee15784805) May 31, 2020

#PayOurRoomRent
My Landlord asking me to pay rent

Le Me who cant pay rent - pic.twitter.com/69zCXqRPVE

— Gooner (@Gurarsenal10) May 31, 2020

#PayOurRoomRent@ashokgehlot51
This meme is perfectly representing current situation. pic.twitter.com/AaRCUrVIjq pic.twitter.com/PyrAfrQwuc

— Radha Raman (@RadhaRaman1996) May 31, 2020

#PayOurRoomRent Students are requesting to pay their rent or look to this issue.
Meanwhile govt. pic.twitter.com/ZEXKYbASBY

— Sumit (@SumitMi02880332) May 31, 2020

#PayOurRoomRent
Landlord wants room rent to students
Le students - pic.twitter.com/A5k9gyGGRw

— Gurucharan Gupta (@GurucharanGupt4) May 31, 2020

With the middle class, working professionals, students and those poor who can afford a roof above their heads facing a challenging time ahead, there is a common call from a majority of these people for a solution to be provided by the government. Whether the solution will come as a government order informing landlords not to collect rent for a specific period of time or relaxations in any form, people are anxiously waiting for relief and soon.