The Jadavpur University authorities on Friday issued a notice tightening entry and conduct rules on campus, a day after the death of a third-year undergraduate student of the Department of English.
The student was discovered unconscious in a campus pond near Gate Number 4 on Thursday night and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her “brought dead.” Eyewitnesses said she was found unresponsive, with foam at her mouth, shortly after chatting with friends near the Arts Faculty’s Union room. The circumstances of her death remain unclear.
The incident occurred during a cultural programme, Ruhaniyat, hosted by the Jadavpur University Drama Club. The event was suspended immediately after the tragedy. Later, the club’s office-bearers announced their resignation in a statement expressing regret.
Amid growing anger on campus and political blame games between student groups, the university administration moved swiftly to issue fresh instructions for campus security. “Henceforth, to enter the University campus two wheelers or four wheelers must have JU parking sticker issued by the University and displayed prominently. Vehicles without University stickers must provide their registration numbers at the gate of the University before entering… A valid ID card of the driver / passenger(s) must be produced on demand," reads the notice issued by the University authorities.
The notice also prohibits “use of narcotics / alcohol or other illegal substances or any illegal activity in any part of the campus,” warning that violators would be prosecuted as per law. It further bans trespassing, including morning and evening walking, and use of university premises as a public thoroughfare.
It mandates that anyone seeking to enter the campus between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM must carry a valid Jadavpur University identity card. For those without one, an alternate ID must be shown, along with details of the person they intend to meet. The details will be recorded in a register kept at the gates.
The registrar’s office has circulated the notice to all departments, directors, officers, associations, and student unions across both the main and Salt Lake campuses, while also directing the system administrator to upload it on the university website. The move, officials said, is aimed at ensuring strict compliance and enforcement of the guidelines in the aftermath of the tragedy.
