Kolkata, Oct. 5 -- The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed state universities to submit reports on the safety and security of students on their campuses by December 1, amid concerns over recent incidents of violence at educational institutions, including the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI).
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge issued the direction while hearing a PIL by Rishav Saha seeking measures to ensure student safety across state universities. The matter will be heard next on December 10.
Petitioner's counsel Ritankar Das referred to Sunday's trouble at SRFTI, where supporters of the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Manch allegedly tried to enter the campus after being stopped by police. Protesters allegedly hurled bottles and stones and pushed against the gates.
The incident followed a September 27 clash between SRFTI students and members of an outside right-wing organisation.
Das also referred to the August 19-20 incident at Jadavpur University, where a large group allegedly entered the campus and created fear among students. The group allegedly attempted to set fire to Aurobindo Bhawan, the university's administrative building.
Chief Justice Ghuge indicated that the SRFTI issue required urgent attention. During an earlier hearing, the bench had said ensuring students' safety was the state's responsibility and urged authorities not to treat the PIL as adversarial.
Advocate General Surajit Nath Mitra assured the court that the state was committed to ensuring campus safety. The bench also specifically flagged Diamond Harbour Women's University, the state's only state-aided women's university, and stressed the need to ensure security there.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.