BHU ragging case: V-C blames communication gap

An FIR was lodged against six students for assaulting Upadhyay after the incident was reported by the media,while the varsity administration talked of “settling the issue” rather than taking action against the accused.

Talking to The Indian Express,V-C Professor DP Singh said: “The whole issue of the proctorial board suggesting a compromise between the students was caused due to a communication gap. Generally in cases of ragging complaints,students are given a chance to settle the matter,but this case is different since the video of the episode leaves no room for any settlement.”

According to him,the two administration units were acting separately and simultaneously on the issue without any idea of the actions taken by the other.

“The video of the episode was shown to the Anti-Ragging Squad chief (G S) Yadav,while compromise was suggested by the Proctorial Board,” said Singh,who was in Lucknow to receive the UP Ratan Award by the All India Conference of Intellectuals.

Interestingly,Upadhyay had told The Indian Express earlier that he had handed over the CD of the MMS clippings to Yadav on September 13. OP Rai,Deputy Chief Proctor of BHU along with Prof Bishwambhar Jha,Dean,Commerce Faculty,had suggested compromise late on the night of September 14 after the interrogation of the Anti-Ragging Squad was completed.

On September 15,Proctor HCS Rathor made him sign the letter saying he was satisfied with the action taken by the Chief Proctor and did not want to pursue the matter further.

Agreeing that it was a case of criminal negligence,lack of sensitivity as well as laxity in carrying out responsibilities on the part of the dean of commerce,Prof Singh said: “The deanship has been taken from Prof Jha and a showcause notice has been served to then administrative warden G C R Jaiswal. This was the best that could be done under the powers of the university. Removal from the deanship is no small punishment. Whatever is to be done next,can be done by the police,not by the varsity administration.”

The VC,however,maintains that he has taken a stern stance on the incident and has made it clear to varsity officials that insensitivity of this kind and laxity in implementation of Anti-Ragging Act 2009 will lead to severe punishment.

“For preventing such communication gap in future,I have asked the Anti-Ragging Squad to keep visiting the hostels on a regular basis. I have also ordered formation of Anti-Ragging Sub-Committee and Sub-Squad in the faculties along with Student Harmony Forum and Mentoring Cell for freshers,” said Singh. Till now,the Anti-Ragging Committee,which included the Anti-Ragging squad and several other members,met only when cases of ragging cropped up,explained Singh.

Seeing that the main cause of the row was mess mismanagement,the V-C has ordered formation of mess management committee in all hostels. They will comprise the wardens and elected students and will supervise the mess manager. An apex mess management committee has also been formed under the Dean of Students’ Welfare.

Chief Medical Officer of the Student Health Center,Head of the Department of Home Science,Mahila Mahavidyalaya as well as the members of the Students’ Council will be the member of the apex committee.