Chaos at Sehore VIT College: Over 4,000 Students Protest Poor Food and Water, Professor Found Dead

Sehore, Madhya Pradesh: A major student protest erupted at VIT University, Sehore, following complaints over poor-quality food and contaminated water. Over 4,000 students participated in the unrest, resorting to property damage and arson within the campus. The situation escalated to such an extent that police forces from five local stations were deployed to restore order. Amid the chaos, the body of a college professor was discovered in his rented accommodation.

Why Students Protested
The students alleged that consumption of substandard food and water had caused illnesses, including jaundice, affecting many. Although some reports circulated claiming student fatalities, hospital records indicate that no deaths occurred, and over 100 students are receiving treatment in hospitals across Ashta, Sehore, and Bhopal.

The protest intensified when campus security personnel reportedly tried to suppress student grievances, including physical altercations by hostel wardens and guards. Repeated complaints to university authorities received no satisfactory response, further fueling student anger, which led to widespread damage to campus property and vehicles.

Events Following the Protest

• Police from Ashta, Jawar, Parvati, and Kotwali stations were deployed to control the situation. The situation has now largely stabilized.
• In response to the unrest, VIT University declared a student holiday until 30 November, allowing students to return home.
• University officials, including the SDM and Ashta SDOP, are set to review grievances and health conditions of affected students.
• Political leaders have expressed concern; MP Congress President Jitu Patwari called the situation “alarming” and demanded a fair investigation and action against those responsible.
• The deceased professor, Sangram Kesari Das, was an Electronics faculty member at VIT. The cause of his death is currently under investigation.

University Response
VIT University Registrar KK Nair issued a video statement clarifying that reports of student deaths due to jaundice are completely false. No fatalities have occurred, and the rumors circulating online are “entirely baseless.”