Katare criticised the practice as coercive and a violation of students’ rights. He added that the same institution penalises students if they use religious references particularly invoking “Bajrangbali.” According to him, naming Bajrangbali once resulted in a ₹5,000 fine and disciplinary action. He recalled that on July 8, 2022, students were punished for chanting “Hanuman Ji,” labeling such reactions as a severe misuse of authority.
Moreover, MLA Katare claimed the university operates an unauthorized clinic within its campus and compels students to undergo medical tests without prior approval from government health authorities. He stated that officials from the Chief Medical and Health Office (CMHO) were allegedly barred from entering the campus for two hours during a government inspection, hindering official oversight.
The grievances of the student community run deeper. According to legislators, water quality tests revealed that out of 18 samples from drinking water sources, 4 showed harmful bacterial contamination. Students reportedly suffered from repeated health complaints, delayed responses, and their complaints remained unaddressed for months. In addition, hundreds of FIRs were filed against protesting students, escalating dissatisfaction and culminating in mass unrest.
In reaction, higher education minister Inder Singh Parmar stated that the government has issued a notice to the university under Section 41(1) and warned that, if violations continue, stricter action—including taking the institution under government control under Section 41(2)—will be taken. “No student’s future will suffer,” he assured the House, attributing the crisis to mismanagement by the university and not to any fault of the students.
Addressing student concerns in the House, MLA Katare demanded that FIRs filed against protesting students be either withdrawn or annulled to prevent destruction of their academic prospects. He urged authorities to conduct a judicial (magisterial) inquiry into the matter to ensure justice and safeguard the state’s reputation, since students from all corners of the country come to study in Madhya Pradesh.
The situation escalated on the night of November 25, when reportedly around 4,000 students gathered on campus. Protests turned violent, resulting in arson and property damage — buses and cars were set ablaze, windows shattered, an ambulance was vandalized, and widespread chaos ensued. To restore order, police from five different stations had to be deployed.
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