Anamika Mondal, a 21-year-old third-year English honours student at Kolkata’s Jadavpur University, was found unconscious in a campus pond near Gate No. 4 during a cultural programme on Thursday night.
Despite immediate medical attention, she was declared dead on arrival at KPC Medical College and Hospital. The university and local police have launched an investigation, suspecting drowning as the cause of her death, but awaiting post-mortem confirmation.
The incident has shocked the campus community, with student groups demanding enhanced safety measures amid concerns over campus security.
Campus Tragedy and Response
Anamika Mondal was last seen chatting with classmates earlier on the evening of the incident. Around 10:20 pm, during a cultural event featuring folk singer Gour Das Baul, some attendees noticed a figure floating in the pond located near the Arts Faculty Students’ Union room close to Gate No. 4. Responding swiftly, fellow students rescued her and tried administering CPR before rushing her to a private hospital, where she was declared dead shortly after arrival. The loud music and crowd activity during the cultural programme possibly masked any cries from Anamika, delaying help.
Senior faculty members, university officials, and representatives from the Arts Faculty Students’ Union were present at the hospital to support students. The Jadavpur police promptly registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation. The university’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Amitava Dutta has confirmed that the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, which is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding her death.
Background and Campus Safety Concerns
This tragic event has resurrected troubling memories of a similar incident at the university in 2023 when Swapnadeep Kundu, a first-year student, died after falling from the boys’ hostel balcony in an alleged ragging-related case. The death sparked protests, leading to several arrests and calls for stronger security measures.
The current incident has intensified demands from student organisations such as the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) for improved surveillance systems, including the installation of permanent CCTV cameras across the campus and establishing a dedicated police outpost.
TMCP accused rival student groups of politicising the unfortunate death, igniting contentious exchanges on campus. These developments underscore the urgency of comprehensive reforms to ensure student safety, better governance, and an environment conducive to learning.
Recent court orders and university decisions have pushed for enhanced campus security at Jadavpur University, including the planned installation of 70 CCTV cameras, deployment of ex-servicemen as security personnel, and proposals for a permanent police outpost to prevent future tragedies. These measures reflect growing institutional and public concern about ensuring student safety on campus.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragic loss of Anamika Mondal is a stark reminder of the urgent need for educational institutions to ensure student safety through compassionate, transparent, and effective measures. Campuses must be sanctuaries of peace, mutual respect, and support, free from fear and political strife. This incident should galvanise collective efforts involving university authorities, student bodies, and law enforcement to foster safe atmospheres prioritising welfare without compromising student dignity or autonomy.
The Logical Indian advocates for ongoing dialogue rooted in empathy and cooperation to transform campuses into spaces where every student feels secure and valued.
