Unpleasant Discovery
During a regular lunch hour on March 18, students pursuing engineering degrees at Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) in Gandhinagar were shocked
to find an unwelcome guest in their curry. What appeared to be a small, lifeless lizard was observed floating in the dish served at the university canteen. This startling discovery immediately caused distress among the students, who promptly brought the matter to the attention of the canteen staff, expecting a swift and appropriate response to such a serious hygiene lapse.
Worker's Bizarre Response
In a move that further amplified the situation, a canteen worker, upon being presented with the alleged lizard, took an extraordinary step. Instead of removing the item or offering an apology, the worker reportedly picked up the object, declared it to be a mere piece of capsicum ('shimla mirch'), and proceeded to eat it in front of a bewildered crowd of students. This unprecedented action by the staff member aimed to dismiss the students' concerns but instead deeply disturbed them, leaving one third-year student to express sheer horror at the worker's attempt to 'prove a point' through such an unhygienic act.
Viral Outcry and Inquiry
A video capturing this entire incident swiftly made its way onto social media platforms, where it garnered significant attention and sparked widespread discussion. Netizens were divided, with some finding humor in the worker's unusual method of 'taste-testing,' while a substantial portion expressed outrage and concern over the university's food hygiene standards. Responding to the viral uproar and the serious allegations, RGPV announced the formation of an inquiry committee on Sunday to thoroughly investigate the matter. Director RGPV (UIT) Sudhir Bhadoriya assured that student welfare is a top priority and that decisive action would be taken if any shortcomings were identified. In the interim, students are demanding that the canteen be temporarily closed until the investigation concludes.
