Food hygiene has long been a contentious issue among students at Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) in Bhopal, India. Recent events have thrust this topic back into the spotlight following a shocking incident that occurred on March 18, 2023, during lunch hour at the campus canteen in Gandhinagar.
Students at RGPV reported finding what they claimed was a lizard in their meal, leading to widespread outrage. The situation escalated when a canteen worker, in an attempt to downplay the incident, consumed the suspected lizard, asserting it was merely a piece of capsicum. Eyewitnesses expressed horror at the staff member’s actions, with one student exclaiming, “Bhai saab, yeh kya hai, dekh lo,” which translates to “Brother, what is this, take a look.”
A video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, prompting immediate reactions from both students and university officials. In response to the uproar, RGPV announced the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the claims. The canteen operator, however, denied the allegations of serving a lizard, insisting that the object in question was indeed capsicum.
The incident has not only raised alarms about food safety on campus but has also led students to demand that the canteen be shut down until the investigation is complete. The university’s director has assured students that their health will not be compromised, stating, “Yeh pahu hai iske. Chipkali hai, uski aankh nikal rahi thi,” which translates to “This is a lizard, its eye was coming out.”
As the inquiry progresses, many are left wondering about the implications for food hygiene standards at RGPV. The incident has reignited discussions about the quality of food served in campus hostels and canteens, a concern that has lingered among students for some time.
Officials and observers are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the investigation. The outcome of this inquiry may lead to significant changes in food safety protocols at the university, as students continue to voice their concerns about what they consume.
Details remain unconfirmed as the inquiry committee begins its work, but the incident has undoubtedly sparked a broader conversation about food hygiene in educational institutions across India.
