The Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Department has issued a show-cause notice to the management of VIT University in Sehore district following a massive campus uprising. The notice, issued on Monday, December 1, 2025, comes five days after violent unrest shook the university. The Higher Education Department is demanding an explanation for serious violations and has given the university seven days to respond.
The unrest at VIT University reportedly began on Tuesday, November 26, 2025, with a midnight protest that escalated into large-scale violence. Students allegedly torched multiple vehicles and damaged campus property. Videos of burning vehicles and students chanting slogans circulated widely on social media.
The catalyst for the protest was an outbreak of suspected jaundice among students, with estimates suggesting that around two dozen students fell ill. The students alleged that the university administration had ignored repeated complaints regarding deteriorating hygiene and food quality. Many students claimed they were forced to purchase bottled water at their own expense due to the poor water quality in the hostels. Tensions reportedly escalated when faculty members allegedly assaulted protesting students.
As the agitation intensified, large groups of students gathered in open areas of the campus around midnight, chanting slogans and demanding immediate action. Sources indicate that two cars, a bus, an ambulance, and several motorbikes were set on fire, and students vandalized parts of the chancellor's bungalow. Visuals depicted flames rising as students recorded videos and continued their protests. Activists from the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) reportedly arrived at the campus later. Police teams from Sehore and nearby areas were deployed to control the situation and prevent further violence.
Despite the scale of the protest and reports of illness, neither the VIT administration nor district authorities have released an official statement. Repeated attempts to contact university representatives have gone unanswered. Police have stated that they are verifying the cause of the illnesses, investigating the allegations of assault, and assessing the damage. Further action will be taken once the inquiry is completed.
The show-cause notice from the Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Department underscores the seriousness of the situation and places pressure on the VIT University management to address the concerns raised by the students and the alleged violations that led to the unrest. The next few days will be critical as the university prepares its response and authorities continue their investigation into the matter.
