Gorakhpur: Governor and chancellor Anandiben Patel has directed Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University to establish a regulated mess system in its boys’ hostels within three months, expressing concern that the absence of a mess facility could allow drugs to be smuggled through food tiffins and expose students to substance abuse. Her remarks, made during the university’s 45th convocation ceremony, later triggered a political war of words, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav accusing the BJP govt of governance failures.Addressing the 45th convocation ceremony of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University on Thursday, the governor said she was “speaking not only as the chancellor of the university but also as a mother” concerned about students’ health.“Show me within the next three months that these deficiencies have been addressed. This is Gorakhpur, the chief minister’s home. If such shortcomings exist here, what will happen elsewhere?” she asked.”Food coming in a tiffin can also bring drugs. Anything can come in a tiffin. This should be stopped,” Patel said, directing the university authorities to make alternative arrangements.The chancellor instructed the university vice-chancellor to submit reports on hostel facilities directly to her and directed the university to establish a regulated food system within three months.She suggested that the university could either run its own mess or appoint authorised agencies to provide meals to students.Expressing concern over increasing drug abuse among youth, the governor urged students to stay away from narcotics and pledge to contribute towards building a “Developed India”.Patel also expressed concern over the quality of edible oil and other food items on the campus.Patel said she had asked the Food Safety Department to collect food samples for testing and that she would also have them tested separately in Lucknow.The governor also expressed concern over “samples getting replaced” while being transported to testing laboratories.”The food our children eat should be pure and nutritious. If they continue consuming unhealthy food, their minds will not function properly,” she said.Meanwhile, the SP chief on Friday targeted the BJP govt in Uttar Pradesh, sharing a video of Patel’s remarks on the shortcomings at the university and alleging that the state’s governance model stood exposed.Referring to the governor’s remarks, Yadav said in a post on X, “While exposing the ‘Gorakhpur Model’, the irregularities of the so-called ‘Gujarat Model’ have also come to light by way of comparison. What is common between the two is that both are governed by the BJP, and both are marked by massive corruption under BJP rule. Their internal conflict has turned the ‘double engine’ into a ‘trouble engine’.”The BJP was yet to respond to Yadav’s remarks.
