Mysuru: Scores of inmates of the hostel attached to University of Mysore in Manasagangothri campus staged protest yesterday, after a dead rat was found in the breakfast served to a student.

The irate students, who gathered near the statue of Kuvempu at the main entrance of the campus, staged a sit-in demonstration till afternoon, holding the authorities concerned for ransom for sometime. 

The carcass of a rat was found in the plate of breakfast served to an inmate at the block ‘A’ of the hostel. Some of the hostel inmates who already had their breakfast, got enraged and resorted to protest along with the container of the food and also the plate where the dead rat was found.

They raised slogans alleging grave negligence on the part of the hostel authorities, ignoring the health of the students. The hostel also lacks hygienic environ and substandard and expired ingredients are used to prepare the food. Besides, there is no drinking water facility, causing severe hardship to the students.  Despite submitting several memoranda, the authorities have not bothered to redress the grievances, they alleged.

Addressing the protesters, Nataraj, President of Manasagangothri Research Scholars  Association said, “Though some of the inmates have fallen sick after eating breakfast, they are out of danger. The officers should take measures to serve quality food, as the inmates are from underprivileged sections of the society.”

Acting VC of UoM Prof. H. Rajashekar, who also visited the spot, succeeded in convincing the protesting hostel inmates to call off their stir. The VC, who lent a patient hearing to their demands, also promised to address them by taking up reforms at the hostel.

Shivanna, Paramjyoti, Gout-ham, Chetan, Kiran, Rohan and other students took part.

Ten students who ate the breakfast were taken to the Primary Health Centre in Manasagangothri campus. After tests, no major complications were found in their health.  However, measures are taken to monitor their health condition. The other students who hadn’t had their breakfast were not subjected to health test.

— Dr. B. S. Chandrashekar, Student Welfare Director