VIT Bhopal violence: Students protest alleged jaundice outbreak, campus shut; FIRs and probe under way.

Sehore (Madhya Pradesh) — A sudden and violent student uprising rocked the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) campus in Sehore near Bhopal this week after students alleged an outbreak of jaundice and complained of contaminated water and unhygienic food in hostels. The protest, which students say started as a demand for better sanitation and health care, escalated into clashes with security staff and widespread vandalism late on Tuesday night.

Students say hundreds — and by some accounts thousands — fell ill in recent days, and they accused the administration of downplaying the scale of the problem. The university has denied reports of deaths and said only a limited number of non-serious jaundice cases have been recorded; authorities say samples of food and water have been taken for testing. Reporting shows a sharp discrepancy between student claims and the institute’s official version.

By late night the protest turned destructive. Videos that circulated on social media showed vehicles and buses set on fire, windows smashed, and large groups of students shouting slogans and forcing entry into parts of the campus. Police and the university lodged multiple FIRs — including a complaint by the university alleging large-scale damage, and counter-complaints by students accusing some staff of assault.

The scale of participation reported by several outlets suggests thousands of students joined the agitation. The university temporarily closed the campus and declared holidays while officials, local police and district leaders moved in to contain the situation. Senior state officials have said they are awaiting laboratory reports before taking administrative action; a government-ordered probe into food and water safety at the campus was announced.

Local reactions have been swift. Parents and alumni demanded transparency and faster medical attention; student groups demanded a formal, independent inquiry and protection for those who raised concerns. Meanwhile, police teams and university management have promised action against those responsible for vandalism, even as they insist they will investigate complaints about food safety and staff conduct.