Nagpur: Serious allegations have surfaced at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nagpur (AIIMS Nagpur), where undergraduate students have claimed that worms and larvae were found in food served at the campus mess. The incident has triggered widespread outrage among students and raised serious questions about food safety standards and administrative oversight at one of the country’s premier medical institutions.
According to students, the disturbing discovery was made during Wednesday afternoon’s lunch. Some alleged that a fully fried caterpillar was found in a vegetable dish. Others claimed that a dead insect was spotted on a piece of fruit, while another vegetable preparation reportedly contained a fly-like object. There were also allegations that a “sponge-like” foreign substance was found in mushroom curry.
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The incident caused panic and anger among students. While some left their meals unfinished, others said they had already consumed the food before the contamination came to light. Photographs and messages related to the incident quickly went viral across student WhatsApp groups, intensifying the controversy.
Students have demanded a transparent inquiry into the matter and strict action against those responsible if negligence is established. Many expressed shock that such an incident could occur in a reputed national medical institution.
In addition to food quality concerns, students pointed out infrastructural issues in the mess. They alleged that the dining facility has only two large tables with a seating capacity of around 70 students each, which is inadequate given the number of students enrolled. Overcrowding, rushed service, and lack of supervision were cited as possible reasons for compromised food quality.
The mess contract was recently handed over to a new contractor from February 1, raising expectations among students that food standards would improve. However, the latest incident has deepened dissatisfaction and mistrust.
Responding to the allegations, Dean (Student Welfare) Dr Siddharth Dubashi stated that the mess is being operated in accordance with all prescribed rules under the new contractor. He said that deep cleaning of the kitchen and dining premises is conducted every night around 10 pm, and faculty members conduct random plate inspections during breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours.
Dr Dubashi added that heads of departments also dine at the same facility where students eat. He suggested that the possibility of mischief by some individuals cannot be ruled out, especially since no formal written complaint had been submitted to the administration, and the issue surfaced primarily through social media posts.
He assured that although no official complaint has yet been received, the matter will be investigated seriously. If the allegations are found to be true, strict action will be taken against the contractor.
“We eat the same food. Student safety is non-negotiable,” the dean stated.
The administration also acknowledged that on the same day, one serving counter was found to be understaffed, resulting in long queues, and said corrective steps were taken immediately.
The episode has cast a shadow over AIIMS Nagpur’s management and quality control mechanisms. With the controversy escalating online, all eyes are now on the institution’s inquiry and the action that follows.
