Nearly 360 students of Classes 9 to 12 at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Guna locked themselves in their hostel for over three hours on Sunday evening.
The protest erupted after the principal, HK Meena, was accused of brutally beating a Class 10 student who complained about substandard food.
Students ended the standoff around 4 am on Monday after district administration and police intervention, agreeing to eat following assurances.