Bengal: Jadavpur University First-Year Student's Death Sparks Ragging Allegations, Governor Assures Action

The student was allegedly being called names by seniors at his hostel. His friend said that this was the reason behind his death.

File photo of Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose at a Jadavpur University convocation. ( Image Source :PTI )

A first-year Bengali (honours) student died after reportedly falling from a second-floor balcony of the main hostel of Kolkata's Jadavpur University in West Bengal on Wednesday. According to the police, the student, 18-year-old Swapnadip Kundu, who hailed from Bagula in Nadia district, fell from the hostel building around 11:45 PM. The death, however, has been linked to ragging allegations, reported news agency PTI.

Swapnadip was rushed to the KPC Medical College but succumbed to his injuries at 4:30 AM. Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, who also serves as the university's Chancellor, visited the hostel to console Swapnadip's father and assured him that decisive action would be taken against those responsible for his death, reported PTI.

The incident occurred shortly after the commencement of classes for first-year students. Another student from the same year asserted that his friend's death was linked to ragging by a few senior students. Initial investigations have indicated that Swapnadip Kundu might have been subject to bullying by senior students at the hostel. He reportedly called his mother around 9 PM on Wednesday expressing his "fears". Soon after the call, his phone was switched off, prompting authorities to check his call records and the phones of his roommates.

Awaiting the post-mortem examination report, the police stated that the evidence suggested Swapnadip's mental distress, possibly stemming from some seniors calling him names. Witnesses corroborated the police's findings. He had contacted his mother several times on Wednesday and even deactivated his Facebook account. The university's registrar, Snehamanju Basu, said that Swapnadip was discovered injured and unconscious in front of the main hostel.

Swapnadip's father said his son was a victim of ragging. Another first-year student, Arpan Majhi, shared a Facebook post alleging that Swapnadip was killed because of the ragging by some senior boarders. Majhi, who hails from an economically backward family, said his time at the hostel, too, has been nothing short of tormenting. He called for a separate hostel for new students in line with UGC regulations and the immediate removal of former students illegally residing in the hostel.

The university's teachers' associations slammed the lack of intervention against ragging despite prior knowledge. As demands for a thorough inquiry and accountability grew, the Arts Faculty Students' Union expressed solidarity with Swapnadip's family and urged a comprehensive investigation. Governor Bose visited the hostel and spoke with the boarders to gain insight into the incident.

Furthermore, Swapnadip's maternal uncle wrote to the Registrar, demanding a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. Registrar Basu disclosed that the letter had been referred to the university's internal inquiry committee for deliberation.