In a significant move following a traumatic incident on campus, a prominent law college in Kolkata has decided to implement a strict ban on all graffiti and writings on its walls. This decision comes in the wake of a case where a first-year student was allegedly raped, with the prime accused being identified as Monojit Mishra.
Complete Overhaul: From Graffiti Removal to Full Repaint
The college's governing body, in a meeting held on Tuesday, resolved to give the entire building a fresh coat of paint in the coming new year. This action is aimed at erasing all existing graffiti, including faded references to 'MM' – the initials of the prime accused, Monojit Mishra. Vice Principal Nayna Chatterji confirmed the decision, stating that a portion had recently been whitewashed, and the upcoming project would cover all walls.
"This time we will paint the entire wall and we won't allow any poster, advertisement or writing on the wall," Chatterji asserted. The college plans to formally communicate this new rule to all students once the institution reopens after the winter break. Notably, during the recent puja vacation, the college had already removed a controversial graffiti that read, "Monojit Dada is in our hearts (Team MM)" from a wall opposite the main gate.
Massive Security Upgrade Post-Incident
The rape case triggered an urgent internal review of safety protocols on the college premises. An internal survey revealed a critical need for extensive surveillance, identifying around 77 locations where CCTVs need to be installed. The college authority has already requested funds from the state government for this crucial upgrade.
Furthermore, the security personnel structure is being revamped. The governing body meeting decided to float an e-tender for the appointment of ex-Army personnel to bolster college security. This need is particularly pressing as the college's only armed guard is set to retire on January 31. "We had police posting at the college gate for security purposes till today. So, we need a security guard after the college reopens," explained Vice Principal Chatterji. An official from the higher education department mentioned that the file for CCTV fund allocation is now with the finance department for final approval.
New Student Guidelines to Prevent Harassment
Learning from the distressing event, the college administration has also taken proactive steps to prevent the harassment of new students. A recent notice issued to senior students explicitly alerts them against collecting personal details from first-year students, exchanging phone numbers, or pressuring them to join social media groups. The notice warns that any student found violating these guidelines will face strict disciplinary action.
These combined measures—the graffiti ban, the physical repainting of the campus, the massive CCTV installation drive, the recruitment of trained ex-army guards, and the new student conduct rules—represent a comprehensive institutional response aimed at restoring a sense of safety and order on campus.
