“Swapnadeep tere swapno ko, hum manzil tak le jayenge” chant the students of Jadavpur University, demanding justice for Swapnadeep

The students of Jadavpur University have been staging their non stop protest over the mysterious death of Swapnadeep Kundu, the first year Bengali department student, who died during the wee hours of Thursday. They allege that it is a case of ragging, bullying and torture that led to his untimely death; they have even called it a murder under the façade of a staged suicide. The placards and the posters that the students have made, convey “the grief, pain and anger” that they “are going through”. Students along with the family of Swapnadeep have been demanding justice and a safe campus space, free from ragging. Slogans such as “Swapnadeep tere swapno ko, hum manzil tak le jayenge” echo across the campus.

Swapnadeep Kundu had allegedly fallen off the balcony of the University hostel late on Wednesday night with minimum clothes on his body. Under the A2 Block of the Main Boys Hostel, Jadavpur University, he was seen lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to the KPC Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries in the morning.

Several narratives, and conspiracy theories centering on Swapnadeep’s death came to the fore after the unfortunate incident. However, Swapnadeep’s parents and the student body of Jadavpur University are insistent that the 1st year student was a victim of ragging, and that his death was made to look like a suicide. “His body barely had any clothes on. Moreover, the Main Hostel was under complete lockdown post midnight on that fateful day. We could not contact anyone from the hostel, and we also heard that an emergency general body meeting was called for by the super seniors who are not students anymore. The meeting continued for over 2 hours and all the student’s phones were confiscated. If there isn’t anything to hide, why was everything done so discretely, and under wraps?” said a 2nd year student, under conditions of anonymity.

Setting political and other differences aside, the students of different student bodies of the University have united as one and submitted a deputation stating their demands. They demand a campus space devoid of ragging and an active anti-ragging cell. Moreover, they want a speedy investigation of the case, and the presentation of the autopsy report in a public forum. In addition, they want the university authorities to relocate the 1st year students from the Main Hostel to the New Boys Hostel on the campus premises. Jadavpur University authorities have complied with all the demands and have promised to ensure a safe space for their students.

“The authorities must learn to take accountability. We submitted an anti-ragging form when we took admission in this prestigious university, all of that seems to be in vain, the declaration of anti-ragging, failed to save Swapnadeep”, said Ishika Neogi, a student of Journalism and Mass Communication. “This is not the first time that this is happening in the hostel, we have heard so many stories of seniors who are not even students still continuing to reside in the hostel. These are the very people who torment the newly admitted students”, she added. The students claim that the existing anti- ragging cell that exists on campus is dormant, and they want a more active one to oversee such issues. 

The University authorities, in addition to the victim’s family have lodged a FIR. . In his complaint, Swapnadeep’s father alleged that “Someone from the university is responsible for his death.” Section 302 has been invoked and an angle of murder too is being looked into by the police. The main accused Sourabh Chowdhury has been arrested by the police. 

“JU is a dream come true for me, I aspired to get into this university for as long as I can remember. However, the happiness and excitement of getting into such a prestigious institution has been marred by the unfortunate demise of Swapnadeep” says a visibly disheartened 1st year student who wishes not to be named. An air of terror looms over Jadavpur University, where the new students are now uncertain of what lies ahead. “This is not the ethos of JU. My seniors have always guided me in every way they could and did welcome me with open arms, and I wish to do the same for my juniors”, says Rupsari Chowdhury, a Masters student of history. The student community has decided to create peer help groups, and make their “campus space a more inclusive one”. Moreover, they want the authorities to address the communication gap that exists between the university authorities and the hostel body.

The Governor of West Bengal visited the students on Thursday and gave them assurances. “We spoke to the governor, he has given us his personal phone number and assured us that justice will prevail”, said Afreen Shilpi, a Phd scholar. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee spoke to the bereaved father and promised to personally oversee the investigation pertaining to Swapnadeep’s death. 

“We are absolutely shocked and taken aback by the incident. No, he did not commit suicide; he was a victim of ragging. His death is not normal. There were external injuries on his bodies, the hostel authorities have failed to provide a cohesive statement, and the silence of the hostel borders makes one think beyond what is visible to the human eye”, said Barsha Baral, a 2nd year student of MA in Sociology.

Students of this prestigious institution have said that they would boycott all classes in the foreseeable future, until justice is served. “This is not Jadavpur. We do have any space for ragging, bullying or harassment. This is a safe and inclusive space and we will continue to fight till the perpetrators responsible for Swapnadeep’s death are arrested”, said Anustup Chakravarty, a Mphil student. Swapnadeep's death has left behind a trail of unanswered questions that demand answers. United as one, the students’ hope that nothing but only the truth comes to the fore and perpetrators responsible for the death of 17 year old Swapnadeep are given stringent punishment.