Varanasi Students Stage Dramatic Protest with Head-Shaving, Demand Justice for Campus Killing
In a powerful and emotional display of dissent, students at Udai Pratap College in Varanasi took drastic action on Wednesday, shaving their heads and staging a sit-in protest. Their demands are clear and urgent: the immediate removal of the college principal and decisive action against him in connection with the tragic March 20 incident that resulted in the death of fellow student Surya Pratap Singh on the university campus.
Protest Intensifies as College Reopens Under Heavy Security
The protest unfolded as the college reopened its gates amid exceptionally tight security arrangements. A determined group of students gathered, reiterating their call for accountability. Beyond the principal's removal, they are demanding a thorough investigation into the role of the entire college administration and the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against them in the student murder case. The protesters have also called for capital punishment for the main accused, underscoring the gravity of their grievances.
Recap of the March 20 Campus Shooting
The protest stems from a deeply distressing event on March 20, when Surya Pratap Singh, a BSc fourth-semester student, was shot dead on the college campus. The main accused in the case, identified as Manjeet Chauhan, was arrested on the same day. In a subsequent development, another accused, Anuj Maurya, surrendered before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate on Monday.
Ongoing Unrest and Heightened Police Presence
Student protests have persisted since the incident, leading to a significant and continuous police deployment on the college campus. Authorities, including ADCP Varuna Zone Neetu Katyayan and other senior officials, maintained a vigilant watch over the situation to prevent any escalation. The heavy police force presence highlights the ongoing tension and the administration's efforts to manage the fallout from the campus killing.
The students' act of shaving their heads—a symbolic gesture often associated with mourning and protest in Indian culture—adds a poignant layer to their demonstration, emphasizing their deep frustration and demand for justice in the wake of this campus tragedy.
