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Source: The post is based on the article “A campus that is safe and free” published in the Indian Express on 19th April 2023.
Syllabus: GS – 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.
Relevance: About DU’s advisory for students.
News: Recently, the University of Delhi has issued a 17-point advisory to be implemented by colleges and departments when organising festivals and other events. These include mandatory NOC from the police, concertina wires on boundary walls. CCTVs at all gates, etc. The advisory has come in the wake of alleged security lapses in a college event.
What is the rationale behind DU’s advisory?
Security lapses have occurred in colleges in the past. Apart from the recent instance, three women’s campuses have also faced security lapses in recent times. Hence, there is a need for greater safety of students. This makes it more necessary for authorities to issue this advisory.
What are the concerns associated with DU’s advisory?
a) Cameras in classrooms and police permission to organise routine events encroach on the privacy of students, b) Enable censuring of students and hamper students exploring new ways of being, c) Hampers study and socialisation of students in an enabling environment.
What should be done?
The need for greater safety should not be achieved at the cost of students’ freedom. Securitisation and surveillance in the name of students’ safety should be tolerated. The college should talk to the students, sensitise them to the challenges and support them in critical times. It is the only way to ensure that security does not mean having to step back from freedom.
