A violent protest erupted late on November 25 at VIT University in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, after students raised alarms over a jaundice outbreak caused by unsafe food and water on campus. The unrest escalated quickly, with protesters setting fire to vehicles and damaging university property.
Police intervened to restore order, and the university has declared holidays until November 30 to address the crisis. No fatalities were reported, and investigations are ongoing into the outbreak and the disturbance.
Jaundice Outbreak Triggers Student Protests
Students at VIT University alleged that contaminated food and water led to cases of jaundice, prompting widespread outrage. Around 4,000 students participated in the protest, chanting slogans and demanding accountability for the campus conditions.
The protest escalated when vehicles, including buses, cars, and motorcycles, were set ablaze, and reportedly parts of the chancellor’s bungalow suffered damage. Authorities quickly deployed police and paramilitary forces to contain the situation. Sehore Police Superintendent Deepak Shukla confirmed a thorough investigation is underway to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Students claim that poor food and unsafe drinking water have led to widespread illness. Several students allegedly developed jaundice, and some claimed that deaths had occurred due to contaminated water. However there is no confirmation on deaths yet, the SDM of the area denied any death due to jaundice.
Students affected by the outbreak were admitted to district hospitals in Sehore and Bhopal for treatment, with several returning home for continued care.
Protests Illuminate Larger Issues
The protest highlights deeper administrative challenges faced by students, who reported ongoing issues with hostel water quality and food safety even before the outbreak. Many claimed that their pleas for resolution were ignored and that attempts to peacefully raise concerns were met with indifference or harsh responses by some staff. This environment of neglect contributed to rising student frustration.
The university’s decision to close the campus temporarily aims to facilitate a thorough sanitation drive and address the multifaceted crisis.
Police and district officials are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the incidents, examining allegations of contaminated food, the outbreak of illness, claims of assault by campus guards, and the extensive vandalism that occurred during the protests.
According to NDTV, KK Nair, Registrar, VIT Bhopal, also dismissed the rumors and said, “Reports of student deaths due to jaundice are baseless. No one has died at the university. Some cases of jaundice have been treated. Water and food have been tested and are fine. We urge people not to spread unfounded news.”
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident illustrates the critical need for educational institutions to prioritise student health and safety through attentive governance and open communication. Students’ frustrations must be addressed promptly and peacefully, as violence undermines the possibilities for positive change.
Universities should foster environments of empathy and constructive dialogue, avoiding conflict that damages community trust.
प्रदेश के बड़े शिक्षण संस्थान VIT में व्यापक स्तर पर पीलिया फैल गया है। भोपाल सहित आष्टा और सीहोर के अस्पतालों में विद्यार्थी भारी संख्या में भर्ती है। कई बच्चों के गंभीर होने का भी समाचार है।
— Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari (@jitupatwari) November 26, 2025
यह शिक्षण संस्थान के साथ सरकार और सिस्टम की भी नाकामी है। मोटी फीस लेकर भी यदि संस्थान… pic.twitter.com/5FCv9saS3S
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT bhopal) में रात्रि को 2 बजे
— Mahendra malviya ( Hrithik ) (@HrithikMahendra) November 25, 2025
हजारों छात्र सड़कों पर है सरकार तुरंत संज्ञान.. vit को बंद करें हजारों लोगों को एडमिशन दे दिए व्यवस्था पानी के पीने तक कि नहीं #VITBhopal pic.twitter.com/gMvwrBxWk6
