Rat infestation sparks outrage at college canteen in northern India
by Nishika BansalIIT students erupted in protest after shocking footage showed rats jumping into food preparation areas in the canteen in northern India’s Uttarakhand, raising serious concerns about hygiene and safety.
The incident took place at Radha-Krishna Bhavan mess within the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, located in Roorkee on October 17.
Visuals showed rats swimming in the vegetable curry and even spotted in other food items.
According to reports as students arrived for lunch, a few entered the kitchen and witnessed the alarming scene. Videos capturing the moment showed This led to immediate outrage among the students, who expressed their disbelief that such conditions could exist in a prestigious institution.
Witnesses reported that the mess staff attempted to downplay the situation, but students were adamant about the need for cleanliness and food safety. “How can we be served food infested with rats?” one student exclaimed. The protest escalated, with students chanting slogans against the administration for neglecting hygiene standards.
Despite over 400 meals being prepared, no student dared to eat after seeing the rats. Those who had taken a few bites were so repulsed that they induced vomiting, causing a further stir within the campus. The disturbing footage and images have since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention and criticism.
Students are demanding accountability and immediate action to improve sanitation in the mess, highlighting that such negligence could lead to serious health risks.