Puttur: The management of the Kukke Subrahmanyeshwara College in Subrahmanya may have made a U-turn in the matter of dealing with two of its girl students who recently got involved in an unpleasant controversy.
A photo, clicked at Raja’s Seat in Madikeri during their visit to a college-mate’s house two years ago, had shown them sitting with beer bottles and in an apparent pose of smoking. The photo which had remained in albums suddenly and mysteriously went into circulation on WhatsApp and social media a few days ago. The motive of the persons who uploaded it as late as two years seems to be suspect, say the girls’ friends.
The action taken by the college seemed more dubious. Although the activity was not connected with the college and in no way affected its reputation, the principal summoned two students who resembled the girls in the picture, He reprimanded them and issued an order debarring them from the institution.
This received heavy flak in the media as well as social network. Revenue subdivisional assistant commissioner Basavaraju, who in his official capacity also heads the temple trust which runs the institution has now issued a clarification that the girls had not been debarred. They had only stayed away from classes in view of the stigma and embarrassment.
This only appears to be a damage control exercise, as the principal had clearly stated that the students had been debarred. The action appears to have been taken under pressure from certain student groups, since one of the girls belonged to a certain community.
Other student bodies have accused the management of buckling under pressure from some groups and taking a strange, but harsh, action against the two students.
The parents of the two girls have expressed confidence in their daughters and affirmed that they were not the ones who would drink and smoke. An indiscretion of posing in that photograph could now cost them dear in terms of their educational career.
I don’t care what community these girls belong to. This is all about individual freedom. If these girls are old enough (legally) to consume alcohol, they should be able to do so. College has no business telling individuals what they should or shouldn’t in their private life. However, there are some questions worth looking into. – Were they legally old enough to consume Alcohol at the time of incident? – Is it legal to consume alcohol in public places/ parks like Raaja Seat? Anyway, I am glad to see a push back by media and social networks supporting individual freedom.… Read more »
Roy stated “This is not a case of constitutional rights. College students sign a code of conduct when they are admitted to university. They represent the school to which they are admitted and are expected to show the college in the best light.” Roy – It sure is a case of constitutional rights. One cannot have the students sign a code of conduct that violates their fundamental rights. The Asst. Commissioner of the temple has clarified the situation and clearly stated that the students were not debarred. Moreover, the alleged pictures were over 2 years old!!!!!! Someone must have set… Read more »