Protest at VIT University in Bhopal turns violent after students attack chancellor’s bungalow, set vehicles on fire

In videos widely shared on social media, several vehicles can be seen engulfed in flames.

A midnight protest at VIT University in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal turned violent late on Tuesday, after students alleged that poor hygiene and contaminated water had led to several cases of jaundice on campus. The university is located along the Indore–Bhopal Highway.

According to the students, around two dozen of their peers recently fell sick with symptoms of jaundice. Unconfirmed reports also claim that at least three students have died of jaundice on the campus in the past month, though authorities have not verified this.

For days, students said they were forced to buy bottled water because hostel water was unsafe, and repeated complaints about food quality and hygiene were ignored. Tensions escalated when some faculty members allegedly manhandled protesting students.

VIT भोपाल में खराब भोजन एवं पानी के कारण तीन छात्रों की मृत्यु की खबर एवं कई छात्रों की तबीयत गड़बड़ । कॉलेज प्रशासन द्वारा छात्रों को धमकाए जाने के बाद उग्र हुए छात्र । मध्य प्रदेश सरकार को इस गंभीर विषय पर तत्काल संज्ञान लेना चाहिए ।#VITbhopal@DrMohanYadav51@Indersinghsjppic.twitter.com/SpQHi9wppF

— Ketan Chaturvedi (@Ketanpandit151) November 25, 2025

As news of the confrontation spread, hundreds of students gathered outside their hostels around midnight, shouting slogans and demanding immediate action from the administration.

The protest soon went out of control. In videos widely shared on social media, several vehicles can be seen engulfed in flames. Students allegedly set two cars, a bus, an ambulance, and multiple motorbikes on fire. Parts of the chancellor’s bungalow were allegedly vandalised as well.

Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) arrived at the campus later in the night. Police teams from Sehore and surrounding districts rushed in to bring the situation under control and prevent further damage.

Neither the VIT University administration nor district officials have issued any official statement so far.

Police said they are verifying the cause of the illnesses, investigating allegations of assault, and assessing the damage. Further action will be taken once the inquiry is completed.