Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) is slowly heading towards usual days as students, parents, college administration and Health department officials agreed on resumption of studies after assurances given by Principal Secretary Health, K Vidyasagar of strict surveillance in the campus and adequate security within the premises.
“Everyone will be watched. Security will be provided as per requirement and additional guards will be stationed if need arises. We are here to decide resumption of classes and it is upto RIMS administration to decide when to resume classes. law will take its own course,” said Vidyasagar.
Nonetheless, the department refused to meddle in the investigation process leaving the business to the right authorities, made it incumbent upon the administration to lift sine die at the campus and resume studies before or after Holi.
But the third meeting in a row with students exposed the fragile harmony at the campus and gross inefficiencies of the administration to address the gap. Even as students vent their ire against fellow students for manhandling with impunity parents cautioned the college administration to not take the anguish within students at the receiving end lightly. Parents accused the administration of brushing the entire matter under the carpet and also developing cold feet on the matter of punishing culprits.
“If concrete steps are not taken then students’ angst will become more intense. Suspension of culprits is not demanded by students but it was issued form higher authorities. Hence, the administration must suspend them without any hiccup,” said a parent.
Several skeletons tumbled out of the RIMS’ closet as the reconciliatory effort saw students exchanging blames and parents jumping in the controversy of tribal versus non-tribal amid the indications of discrimination between the two factions of students. Parents also accused the administration to give ample time to the group of assaulters to cook stories and slap charges. Interestingly, the RIMS administration did not refute any of the charges.
As RIMS stands polarised despite slowly evolving consensus that classes must resume fingers were raised at discriminatory dress code imposed by students for students, fests becoming an event to torment outsiders and the administration of premier medical college remaining a mute spectator in the alleged misconduct of handful students. lately, the RIMS administration broke its silence on the entire episode and vowed to implement rules with iron hand.
“Everyone is agreed that classes should start. On Thursday, we will decide the date to resume classes. Rules will equally applicable to all,” said Director RIMS, SK Chaudhary. Academic activities at RIMS ceased on February 5 as atmosphere was vitiated due to fighting between two groups of students.