Jaundice Outbreak at VIT Bhopal Sparks Violence Student Protests Over Food, Water Contamination Allegations
On Tuesday night, large protests erupted at VIT University, located in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, following allegations from students about poor food quality and contaminated drinking water resulting in an outbreak of jaundice among students who attended the university.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) November 26: The protests began on Wednesday, as hundreds of students gathered outside of VIT, or the Vellore Institute of Technology, located there near to Bhopal. They were leaving the university to visit their homes. On Tuesday night, students claimed that the food and water supplied at the university were both contaminated and unsanitary. They went on to destroy numerous university vehicles and vandalize the university's property.
Campus unrest turns violent as property, vehicles vandalized
The severity of the protests increased after students alleged that when they requested assistance from their hostel personnel and the university's security guards regarding the contaminated drinks and food, those personnel assaulted the students and forced them into silence. Students attempted to speak with the administration of the university for assistance, but found "no clear responses," according to reports.
With no resolution to their complaints, approximately 4,000 students joined together and began damaging the university's property. The protests resulted in the destruction of a university bus, a motorcycle, an ambulance, and all of the university's RO plants, as well as countless other campus facilities.
Following the protests, the university declared a holiday until the 8th of December and ordered all students to vacate the campus immediately.
University denies death rumours, cites misinformation campaign
Dr. K. K. Nair, the Registrar of VIT Bhopal, said that it was not mandatory for students to leave, but rather that all classes had been cancelled.
According to Mr. Nair, at least 33 students have developed jaundice over the last month and were treated for it at Chirayu Medical College and Hospital in Bhopal.
Mr. Nair categorically denied the allegations that three students died from jaundice, saying that it is part of a larger misinformation campaign against the university.
“A girl from Bilaspur had fallen ill and gone home on November 3. She passed away two days ago due to TB (tuberculosis) and it has been confirmed in her medical reports. Those making these claims have conveniently left out her illness and are presenting her death as linked to jaundice,” he said.
FIR filed against hostel staff; police probe assault
As stated by the Sub-divisional Police Officer, Police departments from several neighboring precincts came to campus last night to control the situation.
He further stated an FIR has been filed against Prashant Kumar Pandey, a warden, and five other members of the university's staff for assault based on a complaint from one of the students. The FIR is filed under Sections 190(2), 296 A, 115(2), 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police and district officials are also investigating the incidents including allegations of food contamination, outbreak of illness, alleged assaults by guards and large scale vandalism.
