CUSAT stampede: Were the fest norms violated? University holds non-Keralite principal responsible

Karnataka: The controversy over the CUSAT stampede that left four students killed and over 60 injured, is getting complexed everyday. Recently, documents accessed by Republic revealed that Dhishna 2023 organisers stampede has flouted the regulations that were enforced in 2015 to prevent accidents within college campuses.

In October 2015, based on the Kerala High Court recommendation, the government promulgated a circular which laid out guidelines for colleges and universities on handling celebrations and festivities within the campus. The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) implemented this order on November 28, 2015.  

Clause 12 of the circular states explicitly that programmes by professional performers such as DJs and musical events should not be permitted inside the campus. "No type of fundraising from the students should be permitted. Technical festivals must be limited to technical activities," it reads. In addition, Clause 17 says all student programmes should be held in the presence of teachers. These two clauses were violated during the tech fest.

Taking cognisance of the circular, the Kerala High Court also mandated in a writ petition in connection with an accident within the campus in 2015 emphasised in writing, "The circular issued by the state government should not remain in paper and is meant to be enforced strictly by all colleges and universities," sJustice V Chittambaresh emphasised while disposing of the writ petition.

2015 Freak accident 

On August 19, 2015, a 21-year-old Thasni Basheer was fatally hit by a jeep driven by a batchmate during an Onam celebration on the Thiruvananthapuram Engineering College campus. The student died the next day.

The incident caused a large-scale public outcry in the state society and the matter had come before the High Court after students who were accused in the incident had filed a writ petition challenging their suspension. After the incident, universities across Kerala had toned down their festivities.

Student Welfare Director cannot wash his hands off

R Sasikumar, chairperson of Save University Campaign, a whistleblower organisation working within universities has come forward to state that the Students Welfare Director cannot wash their hands over this incident. He alleges that the post of Students Welfare Director (SWD) was given to a former SFI leader, and friend of Industry Minister Rajeev, who is accountable for student safety.

"Students Welfare Director PK Baby who was in a non-teaching position in the university, was elevated to the rank of Associate Professor and is responsible for holding such festivities on the campus. Unfortunately, the SWD or the vice chancellor wasn't even present in the campus where this fest was ongoing," he alleged.

"The entire responsibility of this mishap falls on the Vice Chancellor as well as the university syndicate," he blamed. He demanded the governor to take action against the Vice Chancellor.

The activist stated the SWD was made part of the probe but after the outcry, and has now been removed from the team.

"I have approached the governor with a petition to remove this VC," he told Republic. The activist also demanded that the governor ask the government to order a judicial probe over the incident.

Principal to be made scapegoat?

Interestingly, the university has squarely blamed the CUSAT engineering college principal for this mishap. Inside sources within the university reveal, that the university syndicate is miffed with the principal whom they believed leaked the letter requesting additional security.

Citing technicality, CUSAT authorities state that the principal of School of Engineering Dr Deepak Kumar Sahu failed to 'officially inform' the authorities of the concert of Nikhita Gandhi. He has been removed from the position pending enquiry as he was also the chairman of the organising commitee of the festival.

The communication by the university syndicate stated the principal did not mention the scale of events and failed to inform participation by celebrity singers.

A staff within the university, who wanted to remain anonymous, stated that the non-keralite principal is likely to be made scapegoat. "He is unaware of the politics of the campus. He will be squarely blamed for everything so that many in the syndicate can escape from the responsibility of this tragedy," source stated.