‘If There's Corruption In CM’s City, What Must Be Happening Elsewhere?’: Gov Anandiben Patel Pulls Up Officials at UP's Gorakhpur University

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Thursday delivered a sharp rebuke to university and district authorities during the 45th convocation ceremony at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University (DDU), questioning the quality of infrastructure, hostel facilities and food arrangements in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s home city.

Addressing students and officials in Gorakhpur, Patel remarked that if corruption and poor-quality work were visible in the Chief Minister’s own city, the situation in other parts of the state could only be imagined. Her comments came while highlighting alleged irregularities in construction work and student welfare at the university.

Governor questions construction quality

Patel criticised the standard of ongoing construction work inside the university campus, saying the engineering quality was “extremely poor”. She pointed out that Gorakhpur is represented by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and questioned how such deficiencies could exist in a city under such close scrutiny.

“If there is corruption and poor-quality work in the Chief Minister’s city, then what must be happening elsewhere?” she said while addressing the gathering.

172 medals awarded at DDU convocation

The Governor presented 172 medals to 85 meritorious students during the university’s 45th convocation ceremony. The honours included 80 university medals and 92 donors’ medals.

Of the 85 awardees, 63 were women, accounting for nearly 74 per cent of the recipients, while 22 were men.

Chief guest Dr V.K. Saraswat congratulated the graduating students, describing a degree as not just an academic qualification but also a responsibility towards society and the nation. He also acknowledged the role of parents and teachers in students’ achievements.

Concern over hostel food and outside deliveries

Patel also raised concerns over hostel facilities, saying students at DDU were ordering food from outside because meals were reportedly not being prepared in the hostel mess.

Referring to reports of liquor bottles being recovered outside hostel rooms at Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT), she warned that outside food deliveries could also become a route for alcohol or drugs.

“If students depend on food delivered in tiffin boxes, alcohol and drugs could also be brought in through them,” she said, adding that poor nutrition could adversely affect students’ physical health and mental development.

‘Why aren’t officials taking action?’

The Governor said she had instructed universities across Uttar Pradesh to rectify deficiencies within three months. She noted that ceiling fans in the girls’ hostel at DDU had been replaced only after authorities learnt about her visit.

Questioning the functioning of local officials, Patel asked why the administration had failed to act earlier. She also said the District Magistrate and Commissioner did not appear before her despite being called and announced that she would personally monitor the situation.

‘I speak as a mother, not just as Governor’

Patel said her remarks were driven by concern for students rather than merely her constitutional responsibilities.

“I speak as a mother, not just as a Governor,” she said, adding that while some officials managing educational institutions might not appreciate her criticism, improving universities was essential.

She also said that as Indian athletes continue to win medals internationally, educational institutions should strive to maintain equally high standards.

Governor orders food samples, questions local testing

During her stay at the university guest house, Patel inspected the kitchen late at night and claimed to have found irregularities in the food ingredients being used.

She immediately directed Food Department officials to collect samples and also had an additional sample taken, which she said she would personally carry to Lucknow for testing as she did not fully trust local investigations.

Recalling an incident from Gujarat, Patel alleged that food samples had once been replaced during transit to manipulate laboratory reports, prompting her decision to ensure independent testing.

Hostel hygiene and student health under scrutiny

The Governor also criticised the unhygienic condition of university hostels, saying staircases were stained with paan and gutkha spit, making them unsuitable for an educational environment.

She further observed differences in the health of students from western and eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to Patel, girls from western Uttar Pradesh appeared physically healthier, while many girls from eastern Uttar Pradesh looked younger than their actual age despite being academically capable. She stressed the need to improve nutrition for students across educational institutions.