Jaipur students stage unique protest over drinking water shortage using HOD's fridge
A group of students removed a refrigerator from an HOD office at Rajasthan University's Central Library and placed it outside for students amid water shortage. The viral episode has sharpened focus on complaints over drinking water and campus facilities during Jaipur's intense summer heat.
Amid scorching summer heat in Jaipur, frustration over a drinking water crisis at Rajasthan University appeared to have spilt onto the campus after a group of students were seen removing a refrigerator from an HOD’s office and placing it outside for students to access cold water.
The video of the incident, which has now gone viral on social media, took place at the Central Library of Rajasthan University, where students had been struggling with limited access to drinking water during extreme temperatures.
According to students, demands for functioning water coolers and better drinking water facilities were raised multiple times, but little action was taken by the administration.
Several students complained that damaged coolers remained unrepaired and new arrangements were made despite the intense summer heat.
The controversy escalated after youth leader Shubham Rewad intervened upon seeing students struggling for water inside the university’s Central Library.
In the now-viral video, Rewad, accompanied by supporters, entered the HOD room at the Central Library and removed a refrigerator kept there, later placing it in a common area for students.
Soon after, bottles of water were placed inside the fridge, allowing students to access cold drinking water. Other videos from the incident showed students gathering around the refrigerator, with the unusual protest quickly becoming a talking point across campus.
Watch the video here:
Speaking about the incident, Rewad argued that the refrigerator inside the HOD’s office was not any official’s personal property but had been purchased using student fee money. He maintained that students therefore had the first right to use facilities funded through their fees.
He also claimed that repeated complaints regarding the drinking water issue had failed to prompt action from university authorities, forcing students to take matters into their own hands.
According to allegations by the students, while they struggled to access water in the heat, officials continued to work inside air-conditioned rooms with access to cold drinking water, adding to frustration among the student community.
The incident focused attention on infrastructure and student welfare concerns at one of Rajasthan’s largest universities, particularly as temperatures continued to remain high during peak summer.
Amid scorching summer heat in Jaipur, frustration over a drinking water crisis at Rajasthan University appeared to have spilt onto the campus after a group of students were seen removing a refrigerator from an HOD’s office and placing it outside for students to access cold water.
The video of the incident, which has now gone viral on social media, took place at the Central Library of Rajasthan University, where students had been struggling with limited access to drinking water during extreme temperatures.
According to students, demands for functioning water coolers and better drinking water facilities were raised multiple times, but little action was taken by the administration.
Several students complained that damaged coolers remained unrepaired and new arrangements were made despite the intense summer heat.
The controversy escalated after youth leader Shubham Rewad intervened upon seeing students struggling for water inside the university’s Central Library.
In the now-viral video, Rewad, accompanied by supporters, entered the HOD room at the Central Library and removed a refrigerator kept there, later placing it in a common area for students.
Soon after, bottles of water were placed inside the fridge, allowing students to access cold drinking water. Other videos from the incident showed students gathering around the refrigerator, with the unusual protest quickly becoming a talking point across campus.
Watch the video here:
Speaking about the incident, Rewad argued that the refrigerator inside the HOD’s office was not any official’s personal property but had been purchased using student fee money. He maintained that students therefore had the first right to use facilities funded through their fees.
He also claimed that repeated complaints regarding the drinking water issue had failed to prompt action from university authorities, forcing students to take matters into their own hands.
According to allegations by the students, while they struggled to access water in the heat, officials continued to work inside air-conditioned rooms with access to cold drinking water, adding to frustration among the student community.
The incident focused attention on infrastructure and student welfare concerns at one of Rajasthan’s largest universities, particularly as temperatures continued to remain high during peak summer.
