Fifty students at the Morarji Desai Residential School in Dandoti village,located in the Kalaburagi district,experienced severe health issues after their evening meal on Thursday . Reports indicate that the children began showing symptoms of acute food poisoning and severe indigestion shortly after dinner, which was served around 7:30 p.m .
The alarming incident prompted immediate action from local authorities . A team of senior district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner,Superintendent of Police,and District Health Officer,arrived at scene by 1 a.m. on Friday to oversee the medical response. They were joined by the Chittapur Tahsildar and the District Minority Welfare Officer to ensure that the affected students received prompt medical attention at nearby government hospitals.
Out of the 50 students who fell ill,39 required hospitalization. Fortunately,all have since been discharged after recovering from their ailments. Initial investigations pointed to significant lapses in food safety standards at the school’s kitchen, leading to the unfortunate incident .
Home Minister Priyank Kharge, representing the Chittapur constituency, stated that preliminary findings suggested the rice served during dinner was undercooked, contributing to the widespread digestive issues among the students. He emphasized that he is maintaining close communication with district officials and warned of strict disciplinary measures against those found negligent once a thorough inquiry is completed.
In response to situation, the Department of Minority Welfare has taken decisive action by suspending both the principal and hostel warden . Additionally,steps are being taken to terminate the contract of the outsourced kitchen staff,with plans to replace them with qualified personnel. Kharge has also ordered rigorous inspections of food quality across all state-run hostels to prevent future incidents.
As concerns grew among parents, the district administration urged the public to avoid spreading unverified rumors, assuring them that the safety and welfare of the students remain a top priority. The swift response from officials reflects a commitment to addressing the crisis and restoring confidence in the school’s management .
