Last week, Layasmitha, a BTech student from Presidency University, was stabbed to death by her cousin, Pawan Kalyan, in her college campus. The Rajanukunte police station has booked college authorities and the security guard for breach of safety. “We have got the CCTV footage from the college. Once we understand why an outsider was allowed to step foot in campus, we will take action,” says inspector Bharat.
Authorities on high alert
The incident has triggered concern regarding the security on campuses. Augustine George, dean, Kristu Jayanti College, says, “We have always had tight security in place. If the students forget to carry their ID cards, we ask them to make an entry and only upon the permission of their head of department, do we allow them to enter. We are now going to install hand-held metal detectors. We are doing everything we can to make the students feel safe.”
Vivitha MK, head of department of journalism studies, Mount Carmel College, says, “No students are allowed to enter the campus without their ID cards. Visitors have to register their names, contact numbers and purpose of visit. The department they wish to visit is informed first and the visitor is allowed inside only when the department gives the permission.”
College students are worried
{{/usCountry}}College students are worried
{{/usCountry}}Students, however, feel unsafe in light of Layasmitha’s brutal death. Talking about the situation, a student from Presidency University says, “Whatever happened was not supposed to happen, especially inside the campus. Yes, to an extent, the university is at fault, but I’ve never faced any security-related issues. Rather than blaming the university for the incident, it’s better if we try to find means to avoid such incidents in the future.”
A student from Jain University, on condition of anonymity, says, “It is not the first time that I have come across something like this. The problem is our popular culture, cinema and shows that normalise behaviour like this (stalking and harassment). When such cases are put forth, universities and colleges try to dismiss them because it affects the institution’s reputation.”
A student from Christ University says, “It is sad that no action is taken after we hear about such cases. I have seen and heard about many such incidents from my friends in different campuses. How do you even complain if a stare is making you uncomfortable or you hear slurs and comments being passed on?”
Gizelle Gina D’Silva, a student from Jain University, says, “When we look at assault, most of us are not taught to differentiate between different types of assault. A lot has to be done, even with the new National Education Policy coming in, there needs to be some government initiative in educating people.”
Speaking of a solution, student Sim Jain says, “The incident is appalling and if educational institutions are not safe, where are we heading? I think one way to provide more security can be that the grievance cell should be governed by some other body than the institution, so that they are autonomous enough to respond properly.”