The students’ union of the engineering and technology faculty at Jadavpur University told the officiating vice-chancellor on Monday that they would “oppose any surveillance measure” that seeks to hamper free atmosphere and students’ movement on the campus.
The students said they were opposed to “splurging of money” in the name of installation of CCTV cameras and hiring of ex-servicemen as security personnel for the hostels at a time “the university is reeling under funds crunch”.
They demanded that “all stakeholders” meet to decide on effective anti-ragging measures.
VC Buddhadeb Sau consented to their demand after being gheraoed for three hours on Monday evening and called a meeting of “all stakeholders” on September 1. However, many on the campus see it as a measure aimed at stonewalling any important administrative decision.
“Whatever the meeting decides on effective anti-ragging measures will be sent to the UGC. Let the regulatory body decide on the course of action,” Sau told Metro around 9pm on Monday.
The need for anti-ragging measures like installing cameras and hiring security personnel was acutely felt after the death of a first-year undergraduate student who was allegedly tortured at the university’s main hostel on August 9. He died the next day,
The JU authorities have written to the state government for funds to implement the measures.
Days after the death, the UGC sought to know from JU registrar Snehamanju Basu whether the head of the institute convened meetings of faculty members, wardens, student representatives, parents, district administration and police representatives to discuss measures to prevent ragging.
A memorandum that the students’ union submitted to the VC on Monday says: “We have come to know that the administration is already thinking of taking certain surveillance measures unilaterally, without holding any discussion with the concerned stakeholders. FETSU (Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union) will oppose any surveillance measure which can hamper the free atmosphere and the students’ movement in the university. We would also oppose any splurging of money….”
Sankhadip Das, acting general secretary of the students’ union, said: “The students are the primary stakeholders on the campus. So they need to be consulted before deciding on the anti-ragging measures.”
A JU official asked why the students were concerned about the splurging of money when the university approached the education department for funds.
“Let the department respond. Besides, arranging funds cannot be the concern of the students’ union. It is our job,” he said.