Blood was once again spilled on campus as a group of inebriated students ran amok at Jadavpur University.
The incident of a student from the Arts faculty suffering a head injury on Sunday night starkly illustrates that despite tragedies such as a student's death due to ragging or a female student's suspicious drowning, the dominion of intoxicants remains firmly attached to the controversies surrounding the Jadavpur University campus. The university authorities once again find themselves accused of inaction in dismantling this intoxication ring.
According to university sources, a group of students had come to campus on Sunday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. As they were leaving, they noticed a student who had fallen ill on the university grounds. The unwell student requested to be taken to the hospital. One student entered the field with a motorcycle.
It is alleged that at this point, a group of students from the Engineering faculty launched an unprovoked attack on them. The assailants were reportedly consuming alcohol and drugs on campus at the time. There are also allegations of a female student being sexually harassed. She has filed a complaint with the university.
One of the students who had come for the birthday celebration informed his seniors at the Main Hostel. Several students then arrived on campus from the hostel. It is alleged that when they tried to reason with the 'intoxicated' students, one Engineering student struck a senior with his bangle and proceeded to assault him on the ground.
The injured senior, named Rajib Haldar, received three stitches to his head. When asked about filing a complaint, Rajib, a Philosophy student, said on Monday, "I will decide on this matter later." Registrar Indrajit Banerjee has stated that the issue will be raised at an emergency meeting on campus security scheduled for Tuesday. The authorities will take necessary action.
Questions are being raised about when this intoxication ring will finally be dismantled. Partha Pratim Roy, General Secretary of the Teachers' Association, says, "The few students responsible for these recurring incidents need to be identified and strict action must be taken against them."
Senior Professor Nandini Mukhopadhyay opines, "Along with appointing security guards and permanent officials, the state needs to take proactive measures against the easy availability of alcohol and drugs across the region."
Selim Box Mondal, Vice President of WBCUPA, the ruling party's professors' organization, proposed regular discussions on this issue with students and parents, alongside increased police pickets, more CCTV cameras, and security personnel.
The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) meanwhile, alleged that numerous empty liquor bottles were recovered from the Techno Building on campus that day as well. On Monday, another student organization AISA demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and immediate action against the culprits.