Ahmedabad: A meal at the Samras girls’ hostel near Gujarat University triggered a protest after students allegedly found a worm and earwigs in the food. The students said they had repeatedly complained about the meal quality, but the problems persisted. They demanded that the catering agency be replaced and blacklisted and that officials responsible for checking the food be held accountable.The complaints prompted an inspection by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, after which the hostel was fined Rs 25,000.Samras hostels accommodate students from different districts, talukas and cities who come to Ahmedabad for higher education. Residents said they had repeatedly complained about the quality of the food over time, but alleged there had been no improvement. The discovery of the worm and earwigs prompted the students to protest. They sought to replace the food contractor, saying this was necessary to improve the quality of meals served at the hostel.
Students protest at Gujarat University Samras hostel after worm, earwigs were found in their meal
The protesters also demanded action against officials responsible for monitoring food quality at the hostel. They alleged that repeated complaints to the warden had not led to adequate action. The students said they had also raised the issue with the social welfare department and other authorities earlier.The residents cited another incident to highlight their concerns, saying that during heavy rainfall, students had been forced to stand in accumulated rainwater while having their meals.Members of the ABVP joined the protest and raised slogans demanding action against those responsible. The students warned that they would intensify their agitation if the govt and concerned departments failed to address their complaints.Following the protest, an AMC team carried out the inspection, collected three surveillance samples and issued the Rs 25,000 penalty.
