Foot-Washed Potatoes Spark Outrage at HBTU Kanpur, Students Boycott Mess Food

Students of the Sridharacharya Hostel at Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur, staged a massive protest on Tuesday after a video showing mess staff cleaning potatoes with their feet went viral on social media. Hundreds of students surrounded the administrative building and marched across the campus, demanding strict action and improved facilities.

Students Gaurav Gupta and Vishal Yadav said that when they reached the mess for breakfast, they witnessed a staff member crushing and cleaning potatoes with his feet. After the video spread online, students refused to eat the food and proceeded to the office of the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW) to lodge their protest.

The students further alleged that mess staff frequently consume alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco while preparing food, leading to extremely poor food quality. Slogans were raised against the university administration as student leader Abhijeet Rai, along with members of the Chhatra Sangh Bahalti Morcha, joined the protest.

When DSW Professor C.L. Gehlot asked students to return to their classes, they replied that they had been hungry since morning due to the boycott and could not attend lectures. During an inspection of the hostel, students pointed out serious lapses in security and basic facilities.

Student Madhukar Rai claimed he was injured after a piece of ceiling plaster fell on him while he was sleeping at night. He alleged that despite repeated complaints, the warden failed to inspect the hostel. Students also complained that bathrooms lack doors and that there is a severe shortage of water for bathing and handwashing.

The DSW later ordered the expulsion of the guilty mess staff from the hostel and assured students that their grievances regarding food quality, safety and facilities would be addressed at the earliest.