After crude bombs killed student at Patna college, a warning from the Governor: ‘Discipline isn’t just varsity’s responsibility’
The Governor’s visit comes days after two bombs hurled at the college campus during an internal exam claimed the life of a second-year student, Sujeet Kumar Pandey, triggering protests by students about campus safety and law and order.
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The governor’s scathing remarks come on a day when he visited the campus to emphasise the urgent need for discipline, the sanctity of educational institutions, and collective responsibility among students, teachers, and authorities.Days after bomb explosions at Patna’s Bihar National College (BN College) killed one student, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Saturday the responsibility for maintaining discipline on campus does not rest solely with university authorities.
The governor’s scathing remarks come on a day when he visited the campus to emphasise the urgent need for discipline, the sanctity of educational institutions, and collective responsibility among students, teachers, and authorities. The Governor’s visit comes days after two bombs hurled at the college campus during an internal exam claimed the life of a second-year student, Sujeet Kumar Pandey, triggering protests by students about campus safety and law and order.
The incident occurred on May 13 when two groups clashed after an internal exam.
“After seeing everything, taking everyone’s reports, and understanding the situation, only then can the problem be identified. But one thing is absolutely certain that the environment, as I perceive it, is such that even those responsible for enforcing discipline feel fear because of criminal activities. And it appears that most of these criminals have no connection with the university, they have illegally occupied hostel rooms, and naturally, their influence also affects the students,” Khan said.
He also said he spoke to the president of the students’ union.
“I have told the students’ union president that this is not just the responsibility of university authorities. I say this from my own experience — I have been the secretary and president of the central university union. A civilised society is one where discipline is accepted voluntarily, not enforced by the police baton. This is called enforcement of the unenforceable.”
He continued that there was a time when students did not like the idea of university authorities calling the police for anything. “We used to say that it is your (authority’s) job to enforce discipline. Unfortunately, today, not just Patna University but many universities face the same issue.”
At the same time, Khan also urged the media to not “sensationalise” university matters.
“You (the media) also have responsibilities. Even if you get an opportunity, do not sensationalise university matters. Our collective effort must be to preserve the sanctity of this temple of Saraswati. I seek your cooperation and assure you that education is my top priority. I will not make decisions sitting in Raj Bhavan. If there is a problem, I will go to the place where it arises,” he said.
He also instructed university officials to identify and remove outsiders who have illegally occupied hostel premises, saying that if the university administration is unable to take action, a list of such individuals should be sent to the Raj Bhavan, and he would personally ensure necessary steps are taken.
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