Weeks of simmering health concerns at VIT University Bhopal exploded into violence late on November 25, as thousands of students staged an unprecedented uprising over a suspected jaundice outbreak — accusing the administration of ignoring warnings, suppressing complaints, and failing to provide safe drinking water.

The unrest, which unfolded across the sprawling campus along the Indore–Bhopal highway in Sehore district, left vehicles burned, property damaged, and the Chancellor’s residence vandalised. Police later described the situation as having gone “out of control”, forcing authorities to shut down the institution until November 30.

Health scare sparks anger

According to officials, around two dozen students reported jaundice-like symptoms over the past few weeks — a spike that triggered anxiety across hostels and classrooms. As rumours of student deaths circulated online, panic intensified.

The university, however, strongly refuted the claims.

“The allegations that several deaths have taken place due to jaundice are baseless,” Registrar K K Nair said, insisting repeated testing showed food and water supplies were safe. He termed circulating claims “motivated and mischievous”.

But students said the reality on campus told a different story.

“This wasn’t sudden — students have been complaining for weeks,” one protester told reporters. “Instead of investigating seriously, officials dismissed us, threatened us, and refused to acknowledge the problem.”

Multiple students alleged harassment by campus staff, claiming those who requested medical support or raised hygiene concerns were intimidated. Many reportedly resorted to buying bottled water after losing faith in hostel water quality.

Protests boil over

By Tuesday night, frustration gave way to fury. Thousands gathered at hostels and the main gate, chanting slogans and demanding accountability. Videos widely shared online appeared to show burning motorcycles and vehicles engulfed in flames as students clashed with security personnel.

Police reinforcements from nearby jurisdictions were rushed in to contain the unrest.

Investigation begins, but questions grow

Authorities have now launched parallel investigations — one into the alleged outbreak, another into the violence and vandalism. Sehore Superintendent of Police Deepak Shukla said the campus has since been vacated by many students.

“For safety reasons, the college has been declared closed until November 30,” he confirmed. “We are identifying students who reported illness and addressing their cases.”

As the campus falls silent, the inquiry is only just beginning — and so is the reckoning.

At its heart, the confrontation has exposed a deeper fracture: a breakdown in communication and trust between students and an institution they expected to protect them. Whether the crisis is resolved with accountability or escalates into long-term confrontation now depends on how the administration responds — not just to the violence, but to the grievances that triggered it.