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.

REPORT: #PayOurRoomRent trends on social media - students and middle class call for help

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.

REPORT: #PayOurRoomRent trends on social media - students and middle class call for help

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:

REPORT: #PayOurRoomRent trends on social media - students and middle class call for help

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

REPORT: #PayOurRoomRent trends on social media - students and middle class call for help