The university claimed that students are debarred based on their attendance (minimum 75%) in that particular subject. (Source: Wikimedia Commons) VIT Bhopal has responded strongly to allegations by a government committee that there is an atmosphere of fear on campus, and claimed that the violence which broke out over a jaundice scare last month was due to fake news spread on social media. In its reply to the government panel, VIT Bhopal said that on November 25, when violence broke out, there was “a sudden onslaught of fake news regarding the death of three students and 300 others being in critical condition.” The reply stated there were “posts in the student WhatsApp groups to provoke our students to come out and lodge protests”. The university administration claimed it “tried to explain the position to the students and to assuage the situation.” “However, students in Boys Hostel 1, 6 and 8 still went on with their protest, perhaps being instigated by some persons. Therefore, the management had to take steps to control the situation by informing the police administration to ensure safety and security,” the reply stated. A government-ordered committee had been formed to look into the violence, where around 4,000 students went on a rampage on the varsity premises. The university responded that in cases of jaundice, the medical advice is that a patient should take rest and a regulated diet. “The respective parents were informed of the medical situation, and it is on their specific request that the students were sent home. This was also to help them to regulate the food intake as per medical requirement and individual taste, the scope of which is limited in a hostel,” the reply stated. The government probe also found that the administration had turned the campus into a “fortress-like structure”, that there was an “atmosphere of fear-based discipline”, and that the food and water facilities left a lot to be desired. The university has denied allegations regarding authoritarian attitude and harassment of students. “The allegations of a fearful atmosphere are unfounded. The university enjoys a peaceful, cordial and harmonious relationship with the students. Other than regular academic activities, the university conducts various extracurricular activities, sports and games and cultural activities throughout the year,” the reply stated. The university claimed that students are debarred based on their attendance (minimum 75%) in that particular subject. “In some genuine cases, relaxation is provided by the University. As regards ID cards, there is no threat of confiscation as alleged. In order to ascertain the correct identity of a student involved in any disciplinary activities, the ID card is being checked and returned forthwith,” the reply stated. The state’s higher education minister, Inder Singh Parmar, had assured an investigation following allegations that the district’s chief medical health officer was detained at the university gates for two hours. The university called the allegation misleading. “In fact, if we receive prior information regarding such visits, a proper welcome is accorded by the security. The assistants of the CMHO were at the gate for about 10 minutes waiting for the CMHO to arrive, and our security was coordinating with our medical team and hostel authorities to facilitate smooth passage. In fact, during our discussion with the inspection team in the presence of the CMHO, the latter stated that the officials were on the campus for nearly two hours for inspection and not waiting time,” the reply stated. On the allegations of poor quality food at the hostels, the university said the food arrangements for these hostels are run by reputed caterers from Indore, Bhopal The university has claimed that the food menu is decided after monthly meetings with the Student Committee members. They said that the faculty and students eat from the same mess, and on the night of violence on November 25, there were no complaints of food quality. To maintain consistent quality, the university “employs a hospitality manager trained in a 5-star hotel environment, and a student committee is actively involved in deciding the menu,” it said. The university claimed that there have been “many cases where the students initially opted to stay outside the campus but soon came back to stay in the hostels. This itself shows the quality and the standard of living in our hostels.” To ensure better water quality, the university assured that it has upgraded the existing purification system by introducing advanced ozonizers that help remove harmful microbes and enhance the taste of water. “Additional sand filters and a water softener are also being installed to improve the overall filtration process… the university is forming a dedicated Water Quality Control Committee comprising faculty members and student representatives,” the reply stated. When contacted, a university spokesperson said, “We have submitted our report to the government. Our main contention is that the way in which water samples were collected did not follow proper procedures. We have also explained that there was no atmosphere of fear, and we need some kind of discipline to manage 17,000 students.”

The agitation against Verma will begin on Friday from Vallabh Bhavan (State Secretariat). The protest will be launched at 7 pm with the blowing of a conch shell at the statue of Maharana Pratap. Earlier, Hindu Utsav Samiti and other outfits held a meeting under the banner of Brahmin Samaj Sanyukta Morcha. Bhopal News: Brahmin Samaj To Gherao CM House Seeking IAS Officer’s Dismissal | Representative Image Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Brahmin Samaj Sanyukta Morcha will gherao the CM House on Sunday demanding the dismissal and arrest of AJJAKS president Santosh Verma over his controversial remarks against Brahmin girls. Other Brahmin community organisations will also join the agitation. The community has termed the government’s action against IAS officer Verma as discriminatory and has demanded strict and impartial proceedings. The agitation against Verma will begin on Friday from Vallabh Bhavan (State Secretariat). The protest will be launched at 7 pm with the blowing of a conch shell at the statue of Maharana Pratap. Earlier, Hindu Utsav Samiti and other outfits held a meeting under the banner of Brahmin Samaj Sanyukta Morcha. Morcha convenor Virendra Sharma told the media on Thursday that there is widespread resentment in the Brahmin community over Verma’s remarks. “Even AJJAKS and JAYS are not supporting Verma’s comment, yet the government has not taken action against him. Therefore, we will gherao the CM House on December 14,” Sharma said. The Brahmin Community United Front has appealed to all organisations and community members to extend their support.

The fire initially started in the plywood and other materials used for beautification under the flyover. The fire also spread to the streetlights above and was fueled by the garbage on the road. The fire was extinguished within a short time. There were no casualties, but significant damage was caused. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A massive fire broke out at Lalghati Chowk in Bhopal after garbage under the flyover caught fire on Friday. Traffic was also disrupted for a considerable time due to the fire. Upon receiving the information, two fire tenders from Bairagarh and one from Fatehgarh fire station reached the scene. The fire initially started in the plywood and other materials used for beautification under the flyover. The fire also spread to the street lights above and was fueled by the garbage on the road. The fire was extinguished within a short time. There were no casualties, but significant damage was caused. A shrine located under the flyover was also threatened by the blaze, but fire personnel managed to contain the flames before they could reach it. The area under the flyover has been beautified using ACP. The use of ACP sheets will ensure that this beautification lasts for ten years. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) painting has also been done here. The theme of the painting at Lalghati Chowk is Raja Bhoj. Previously, the municipal corporation had repainted the underpass multiple times under the Swachh Bharat Mission and during the GIS project, but the paintwork had deteriorated quickly.