Midnight Tussle between Jadavpur University students & Police: Who is to be blamed?

In what seems to be a regular occurrence these days, 35 students of Jadhapur University Kolkata encountered a surprise meeting with the local police for holding a protest at the main administrative building complex of Jadhavpur University since last Wednesday demanding an investigation into the alleged molestation of a second year student by boys from the university. The students were demanding a fresh probe into the case where a woman student was dragged into a men's hostel and molested.

 

The issue at hand was not a case of administration VS students. It was a general dharna between students body to ensure safety within the campus. Some students had surrounded the VC of Jadhavpur University and other faculty members for instant action. Instead of addressing the student’s concern and taking necessary steps to avoid such incidents in the university, the Vice Chancellor of Jadhavpur University, Kolkata, called for police intervention, who barged into the university campus at 2:00 am and ‘lathi-charged’ the students. 

 

As per complaint registered against police officers by the students, only 2 women police were present, who did not do anything. The policemen beat not just male students but women students too, blatantly flaunting all rules. 

 

 

Some students even claim that local goons had accompanied the policemen who massacred the place with reckless abandon. As per reports by NDTV, the police & some others who were not in uniform, came and brutally beat up students and flung them around. 

 

While the actual cause preceding this incident is yet to be verified, the more pressing concern is whether law (read police) should be given and open hand? The second concern is, should the herd mentality of police, misbehaving with students without any clarification even, be excused on the precursor of law & order?

 

Definitely, the college is an institution and there will be elements that will disrupt the daily functioning of the college, but whether or not it is correct for the police to not question the facts before acting is something that all of us should question.

 

Thirdly, an established & reputed institution such as Jadhavpur University should not resort to a ‘Hitler-aterion’ regime against the mass, if they cannot take action against the few specific law-breakers. What do you think?