Students at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) in Hyderabad’s Sultanpur were left in shock and disgust after discovering a rat swimming in chutney served at their hostel mess. The incident, captured in a viral video by a student, showed the rodent submerged in a large container of chutney, sparking immediate outrage among the university’s community. The rat reportedly fell into the uncovered chutney pot, highlighting alarming lapses in hygiene and safety protocols at the mess facility.
The video’s circulation on social media prompted a widespread discussion on food safety standards in educational institutions. Social media users expressed grave concerns over the incident, emphasizing the critical need for stringent hygiene measures in hostel kitchens. Many criticized the administration for failing to uphold basic standards that ensure the well-being of students.
“Hostels should be safe spaces where students can focus on their studies without encountering such alarming situations,” remarked one user. “This is absolutely not acceptable. If hostels serve such food, what will the children do? They rely on that food and cannot eat out every day. When will people in India learn to be responsible?” said another. A third user commented, “This shocking discovery highlights the administration’s failure to ensure basic standards of hygiene and quality in educational institutions, putting the health and well-being of students at risk.”
The incident at JNTU Hyderabad is not isolated, as similar food safety lapses have been reported nationwide in recent months. A Hyderabad resident had earlier last month claimed to have found a maggot in chicken biryani ordered via Swiggy. Earlier this year, a man in Mumbai found a dead mouse in a vegetarian meal at Worli outlet of Barbeque Nation in Mumbai. Another shocking discovery involved a human finger with a nail found in ice cream ordered online. In Ahmedabad, a restaurant faced closure after patrons allegedly discovered a dead rat in their sambhar. These incidents underscore the urgent need for stricter food safety regulations and increased accountability across the food service industry, particularly in institutions where vulnerable populations rely on meals provided.
