Impure water on BU campus: Hostel inmates cry foul

BHOPAL: Forced to drink water allegedly contaminated for long, at least 50 students of Barkatullah University (BU), all hostel inmates, on Friday protested against the university’s apathetic attitude by raising slogans against the BU management. The protest, which began past noon at one of the hostel blocks, lasted for two hours.
Students said they took to protest when their repeated requests to university administration to provide clean drinking water fell on deaf ears.Protestors alleged that more than 100 students staying in Sanjay Gandhi hostel of Barkatullah University, Bhopal, are being forced to drink water having total dissolved solids (TDS) at 500 mg/lt, which is far above the danger level.
“Many of us are suffering from skin allergies. Three students underwent HIV tests to clear doubts. Of late, we discovered unhygienic drinking water as reason behind rashes on their body, “said a student wishing anonymity.
“We have got the water tested. Total dissolved solids (TDS) is far above danger level,” Sandhoor Singh, a student, said.
The protesters said varsity officials were ignoring their request and recently instructed boarders to vacate rooms at the end of the academic year and reapply for accommodation.
Hostel inmates Prince and Ankush told TOI that there is no electricity, water and mosquito nets. Window panes are broken. All this makes it difficult for them to study and even bathe.
“We stay on the campus. We are forced to live without water and electricity for days,” Sandhoor said. “It is said water is life and how do they expect us to live in absence of water and power one them has question?”
Another student Pawan said they will block the main road near the university to highlight their their grievances. Their protest is not intended to trigger panic in the town, but to let the university administration and state government know that it was vital for them to have constant water supply and electricity, he said.
Another student Mukesh and Dev Kant Upadhaya confirmed that university vice-chancellor Dr M.D.Tiwari and administrative officers on Friday promised to call a meeting of students on the issue. Even DSW Prof Kalika Yadav promised to provide pure drinking water to the university hostels immediately.
“What we need is power and water to bathe. If we do not get it we will hit the road,” a student said.
Prof Yadav said, “The demand of student is genuine and we will provide RO filter. We will also provide other amenities.”