Kolkata: The campus where the law student was raped was not the only college where unions play a larger-than-life role despite the absence of a formal union. Across Kolkata, there are several colleges where no union exists on paper since union elections have not been held since 2017. But the stranglehold of unions remain in these institutions as youths owing allegiance to politicians control different aspects of students’ lives.At the law college under the scanner now, Monojit Mishra who had passed out in 2022, held sway over the students affairs though he had passed out in 2022. Though no union election had been held in the college for over eight years, it still had a union with various functionaries. The rape survivor had in her account to the police stated that she was offered the union general secretary’s post by Monojit on Wednesday. As it turned out, he had in turn demanded sexual gratification. When she had turned down his advances, he resorted to rape.“In the absence of an elected union, several colleges are in the vice of the likes of Monojit who use their dadagiri to control the lives of students. Since there is on election, these men cannot be dethroned. The education should either do away with the unions completely and replace them with student councils or they should hold union elections,” said a student of the law college. Around eight years ago, the state government had framed rules under the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Act, 2017, which stated that there would be students’ councils instead of students’ unions, but this hasn’t been implemented since student elections were suspended in 2017.“The students’ union was established to look after students’ interests on college campuses. The fund, which was formed by collecting money from each student of colleges, could be utilised by the college union for conducting programmes like freshers’ welcome, farewell programme, Saraswati Puja, and other celebrations. Gradually, the focus shifted from serving students’ interests to personal interests. Local political leaders also got involved in it,” said an academic.College principals highlighted that they have no authority to question the utilisation of student funds. One principal said, “The union was defunct for many years. Now, who will utilise this fund and who should be given authority? Principals are in the most vulnerable position dealing with all these troubles while ensuring safety and security.”Purna Chandra Maity, a former principal, said, “In every college, a section of students enjoy enormous power due to their political backing. They collect huge amounts of money during admissions even after the online admission system has been implemented. Who will stop them? Students’ money should be utilised by union leaders through a teacher appointed by the college, but this was never followed. Now, in the absence of an elected body, who will manage this money? Most college principals are facing trouble due to these sections, as everybody knows.“In the recent past, several complaints were raised against pass-out students trying to acquire power to access this fund. Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College’s student Deshma Ghosh moved to court regarding unwanted interference from Sabbir Ali, who was a former student of Day College. Ghosh said, “Sabbir Ali, who passed out from Day College, and his associates tried to maintain control over the campus. We faced problems as both colleges share the same campus.“A north Kolkata college student said, “Union rooms inside the colleges are dominated by political dadas who may have passed college years ago. Their presence and the power they enjoy inside the campus because of political connections often intimidate other students. I personally never visited the union room because I hardly see any student there. Various antisocial activities happen inside.”A source said, “The rape incident at the law college has come to light and the accused have been arrested. But unfortunately, most colleges of the city are controlled by such ‘dadas’ who are close to power. There are many colleges where girls have been harassed or molested and boys have been physically assaulted on the campus, but unfortunately, complaints were not lodged out of fear.”A student of the law college said, “Monojit controlled the college. He decided what cultural activities will take place, if an exam should be postponed or not, and would sort out attendance issues with authority.”An insider said, “From North to South, most colleges in the city are controlled by dadas, who passed out several years ago or belong to the neighbourhood. This is because of their political connections and to retain power and control over the college. The union rooms are their free ground and they have free access to every corner of the college and are also part of the decision-making process. The unlimited power that they enjoy often leads them to threaten people, extort money, and intimidate teachers and students.“
