Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) in Rourkela has formed a fact-finding committee after hostel boarders protested over alleged unhygienic food preparation at the campus canteen, while the university denied that a viral video proved a worker was kneading dough with his feet.
The dispute began after a video purportedly showing the practice circulated on social media. Students protested on Sunday, with many boycotting breakfast and lunch and demanding action against the food contractor and those responsible for what they described as a serious hygiene lapse.
According to the report, students alleged that the incident took place on Saturday evening. They also claimed that unhygienic practices had been followed at the canteen and said hair and insects had previously been found in food served to hostel residents. These allegations are now being examined by the committee constituted by the university.
BPUT authorities met the protesting students on Sunday, after which the boarders withdrew their protest and had dinner following assurances that their concerns would be addressed. The discussions continued on Monday, when university officials again met hostel residents and reiterated that measures would be taken to improve food quality and hygiene.
BPUT director Shiv Kumar Mishra disputed the central claim linked to the viral video. “The claim that a worker was pressing dough with his feet is false. The video footage does not establish that the worker was using his feet to knead dough,” Mishra said, according to the report.
The university’s position separates two issues that have become connected in the dispute: whether the video demonstrates the specific alleged act, and whether the canteen has broader food-quality and hygiene problems. While rejecting the interpretation of the footage, Mishra said the university would take all necessary steps to improve hygiene and that the committee would investigate the students’ allegations.
“Regarding the students’ concerns about food quality, we have assured them that hygienic food will be served. The fact-finding committee will examine all allegations and submit its findings,” Mishra said.
The episode places the operation of institutional kitchens and the oversight of food contractors under scrutiny. For hostel residents, the canteen is not an occasional service but a regular source of meals, making complaints about contamination or unsafe preparation directly relevant to daily health and campus administration.
The immediate protest has ended, but the university’s response will now depend on the committee’s findings and any action taken on the food contractor or canteen operations. The supplied report does not specify the committee’s membership, its deadline for submitting findings or the corrective measures already implemented.
