A viral post has exposed alarming conditions at IIIT Hyderabad, alleging that the institution serves food contaminated with cockroaches and flies. The post has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about hygiene and safety standards at the college.
A former undergraduate researcher at IIIT Hyderabad, Shashwat Goel, recently shared on 'X' concerning ongoing health issues at the engineering institution. The post has garnered considerable attention, highlighting severe mismanagement and negligence spanning over a year. The viral post exposes a string of alarming incidents, including widespread typhoid outbreaks, cases of food poisoning, and a noticeable underreporting of health concerns among students at IIIT Hyderabad.
South Mess circa 2023 pic.twitter.com/iTyeFGOivq
— Food @ IIIT Hyderabad (@FoodIIITHyd)Students at the college have raised alarms about unsanitary conditions in the mess, citing the presence of cockroaches, and flies, and a consistent lack of hygiene facilities that have been neglected for an extended period. Despite multiple complaints from students, their concerns have allegedly gone unaddressed.
He wrote,"Students at @iiit_hyderabad, supposed to be one of the top engineering colleges in the country, are in an ongoing health crisis caused due to appalling mismanagement and negligence going on since well over a year. on mass typhoid breakouts, food poisoning, underreporting.."
Goel added, "Students are forced to subscribe to the college 'mess' (apt word). Cockroaches in food, flies, lack of handwash etc. are just meant to be ignored, for years. The fact that there's less food than oil is somehow not even a major concern. Student complaints are ignored."
He also shared an image showing a salad covered in flies.
Students are forced to subscribe to the college 'mess' (apt word). Cockroaches in food, flies, lack of handwash etc. are just meant to be ignored, since years. The fact that there's less food than oil is somehow not even a major concern. Student complaints are ignored. pic.twitter.com/Jdi03yjHTV
— Shashwat Goel (@ShashwatGoel7)The recent health crisis at IIIT Hyderabad is not an isolated incident. According to Pingiiit, an independent student-run media organization, there was a significant typhoid outbreak last year, impacting over 40 students due to contaminated water. Allegedly, hostel authorities resorted to intimidation tactics to dissuade students from seeking testing, exacerbating the situation further.
This isn't the first time. As reported, last year there was a widespread Typhoid breakout with 40+ cases due to contaminated water. The boys hostel warden intimidated students from getting tested, actively spreading false information about symptoms, worsening things. pic.twitter.com/B06tffzWmA
— Shashwat Goel (@ShashwatGoel7)Despite multiple incidents and complaints, the college administration has faced accusations of covering up issues, disseminating false information, and making hollow promises to tackle the problems. These allegations have come to light through internal channels, revealing a lack of transparency and accountability within the institution.
Meanwhile, a statement from the IIITH Communications Office said, "On 24th May 2024, there were 33 reported cases of stomach upsets (with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting) of which a large number recovered within a day. Since then IIITH had taken immense care to monitor the situation, and a number of steps including food, milk and water testing, pre-emptive cleaning of water and storage spaces, and thorough audit of the mess. We are concerned that despite these measures cases have not come down to zero, and a few cases are still being reported every day. In this entire period, only 2 students had to be taken to hospital where they were discharged within a day. Medical tests didn’t show the presence of any pathogens or disease causing agents. The institute’s mess committee, health and medical committee, hostel wardens and seniors administration are closely monitoring the situation. Public health experts are being consulted for addressing the situation”.