MP govt issues notice to VIT Bhopal; probe blames jaundice cover-up, poor food quality for campus violence

bhopal: the madhya pradesh government has said the violence at the vellore institute of technology's (vit) bhopal campus on november 25 was triggered by the management's attempt to cover up a jaundice outbreak, ignore complaints about poor food quality, and manhandle students.acting on a three-member probe panel's findings, the higher education department has issued a show-cause notice to the university's chancellor, seeking a reply within seven days. failure to respond will invite disciplinary action, officials said.the vit bhopal registrar confirmed receipt of the notice and said a response will be submitted.around 4,000 students had staged a violent protest at the kothri campus, vandalising property and vehicles over alleged poor food, water quality and other issues.the notice, dated december 1, said the panel found the campus “maintained like a fort”, with the management following its own rules and displaying a dictatorial attitude.issued under section 41(1) of the mp private university act, 2007, the notice said failure to reply could lead to action under section 41(2), which allows the government to take over administration of the institute.the campus houses nearly 15,000 students, but mess facilities were found “highly unsatisfactory”. although outsourced, the management had “no effective control” over services, and students had a negative opinion of food and water quality.from november 14 to 24, 35 students—23 males and 12 females—contracted jaundice, a fact the management admitted. however, related records for november 1-24 were not properly maintained.the notice said the sehore district chief medical and health officer was stopped for nearly two hours at the gate, reflecting the administration's arbitrary functioning.students told the panel they were threatened with seizure of id cards, lower practical marks and exam denial if they complained. they were also told to “eat whatever is cooked”.an atmosphere of fear prevailed on campus, the notice said, adding that the management's “self-obsession” aggravated unrest and led to violence.the management informed police only around 2 am on november 26, after failing to control the situation.the panel also found no microbiological audit of drinking water was conducted. students were angered further when sick students were asked to return home instead of being hospitalised.misconduct by wardens and guards during student unrest reportedly sparked the violent protest.decision-making on issues like id cards was concentrated with two or three officials, while the rest were “ornamental”, the panel noted. it also recorded that the management showed a non-cooperative and prejudiced attitude towards the inquiry.