PNS | NIRMAL
What lies behind the four walls of the university, known as Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge and Technologies (RGUKT) at Basara? The university has been rocked by a series of student suicides. Is it academic pressure or parental pressure responsible for the rise in student suicides in the university?
The RGUKT is located in pristine rural surroundings in the holy temple town of Basar. Basara temple is one of the two oldesn Sarswati temples in Inida. A large number of pilgrims go to Basra to perform “Akshara Abhyasam” (a traditional ceremony to introduce children to the world of education by worshipping Goddess Saraswati).
The RGUKT, when it was established, was considered to be a temple of learning. The RGUKT is a IIIT and it is considered a boon for meritorious students who come from poor families. But, the series of student suicides dented its credibility. It is now up to the government to rebuild its credibility, it is felt here.
It may be recalled that four students died by suicide in one year. One more student committed suicide a few days ago. A total of 27 deaths occurred in the university so far. A 19-year-old first year BTech student, Rathod Suresh, committed suicide in 2003. This was the first suicide recorded in the university. He died by suicide after he was suspended on charge of consuming marijuana. Later, on December 18, 2022, a first-year Pre-University Course (PUC), identified as Bhanu Prasad committed suicide. Recently, first year PUC student, Deepika, committed suicide in a washroom on the campus on June 13, 2023. Within 24 hours after the tragic incident, a first year PUC student Akhila died after falling off the fourth floor of the hostel building while watching a YouTube channel on her mobile phone at midnight on June 14, 2023. In the recent incident, a first year PUC student, identified as Jadav Bablu committed suicide on August 8.
Despite a series of student suicides rocking the university, the authorities are unable to pinpoint the cause of the series of suicides. The authorities are now taking all measures to ensure that there are no more student deaths. As part of the measures, the authorities even roped in counsellors to guide the students.
Meanwhile, pressure is growing on the university authorities to prevent student suicides.
The political parties, including the Congress, BJP and BSP, have been staging demonstrations in front of the university demanding that the government take steps to ensure a safe learning environment in the university.
