More than 100 liquor bottles were found across Gujarat University’s boys’ hostel complex and nearby research scholars’ quarters on Tuesday, triggering student protests and raising serious questions about security and enforcement in the state’s premier public university.
Members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) inspected the hostel premises following the discovery. They reported finding over ten bottles on the rooftop of D Block alone.
Ironically, the discovery comes in a state where prohibition is not just a law but also an article of faith. Gujarat’s status as a dry state is routinely invoked as proof of moral governance. The bottles on campus tell a different story.
The bottles were recovered from rooftops, bushes, and open areas near D Block of the boys’ hostel and newly constructed scholar residences.
Vibes of India understands that students and faculty were stunned at the scale of recovery.
It indicates that alcohol supplies have been a sustained activity in these areas.
Officials involved in the process of investigation suggested that the bottles may have been dumped by outsiders. They believe the real source of supplies might be somewhere outside the campus. Students and faculty aren’t convinced, however.
The findings naturally triggered protests, with NSUI members gathering outside the Vice-Chancellor’s lobby and the Registrar’s office.
Vibes of India has learnt that the protests were not hostile. They placed empty bottles and posters on chairs.
Meanwhile, NSUI demanded the removal of existing security agencies. They also called for a police complaint and a clear fixing of responsibility. Student leaders said the administration could no longer dismiss the issue as routine.
Liquor bottles have surfaced on the campus in the past. Earlier incidents involved one or two bottles near hostels or isolated corners. On one occasion, bottles were reportedly found during a cleaning drive ahead of a visit by the Education Minister. Those cases were brushed aside as minor lapses.
This time, the volume has raised a serious question. How could such a large quantity of liquor go unnoticed inside a government university spread over hundreds of acres?
Administratively, the university’s core offices are located near the main gate. The hostels lie far from this centre. Students allege that this distance has turned hostel areas into neglected zones. They point to weak supervision and irregular cleaning.
Students also allege poor coordination between the Vice-Chancellor’s office, the Registrar, and hostel authorities. According to them, hostel buildings function like isolated islands. Fights and disturbances recur. Action rarely follows.
There is also uncertainty over who consumed the liquor. The administration has not confirmed whether students were involved. It has also not ruled out the possibility of outsiders accessing the campus.
Notices have been issued to the hostel warden and the security officer. According to explanations submitted, the bottles had been lying there since the evening. That claim has raised further questions.
Was there no cleaning during this period? Was there no night patrol?
Under pressure to take punitive action, the university has constituted a five-member inquiry committee.
Security has emerged as a key concern, which is not surprising. There was a vandalism incident in the Botany department compelling the committee to recommend a new agency.
Although the decision was made months back, it’s still not implemented.
Students have pointed out a lack of functional CCTV coverage in the vicinity. They argue that while crores are spent on official events, gaps remain in basic safety systems.
The university has said that e-tendering processes for cleaning and security agencies have been completed. On the ground, students say conditions remain unchanged.
The incident has also reopened debate over prohibition in Gujarat. Critics argue that if liquor can surface in bulk at the state’s flagship university, enforcement elsewhere is unlikely to be effective.
For students living on campus, the issue is not abstract. It affects their sense of safety and trust. Parents and faculty share those concerns.
The bottles found on rooftops and in bushes are not just waste. They are evidence of neglect. Such incidents wouldn’t be a one-off until accountability replaces denial.
Also Read: Gujarat’s Liquor Ban Vs. Reality: Widening Gap Amid Ongoing Verbal Clashes https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarats-liquor-ban-vs-reality-widening-gap-amid-ongoing-verbal-clashes/
