Campus rape survivor in two minds over writing sem exam
Times of India | 7 July 2025
Kolkata: The campus rape survivor is in two minds over writing her semester examination that starts on July 16. People in touch with the family said that she was in no mental state to do so. However, the state women's panel chief has promised "all support" to the woman and her family, saying that not appearing for the exam will be seen as a victory for the rapist.
The first-year student was sexually assaulted on campus while visiting the college to submit her examination form on June 25. The college is set to reopen on Monday, 12 days after the incident. The survivor told her close associates that she felt unable to write the upcoming examination. A source close to the family revealed that she was not in a position to appear for the exam.
A team from the West Bengal Commission for Women has met the survivor and her family after the incident. The survivor expressed her concern to Leena Gangopadhyay, chairperson of West Bengal Commission for Women, about whether she could appear for the exam in this mental state. Gangopadhyay told TOI, "We told her to get prepared for her first semester exam and appear for it. We asked her, ‘What happened to you? Nothing'. The person, who did wrong, should be ashamed. You need to study well and write the exam. We will keep in touch.
" But she reportedly remained silent.
The survivor's friend, who was with her, requested Gangopadhyay if the college could be changed. "Her friend asked if it was possible to change the college because it could be difficult for her to continue her studies there. We told them to inform us later what they wanted, but we sent a recommendation to the govt asking if she could be allowed to study on any other campus. However, they have not informed us yet as they are already disturbed dealing with all these issues. So, we don't want to disturb them right now," she added.
The college authorities had said earlier, after the governing body meeting, that they wanted to support her in every way to help her overcome this trauma. A member of the governing body said, "We want to stand with her in every way to help her return to normal life. We want her to appear for the exam, and for this, we might visit her place to boost her courage.
"The classmates of the girl, who were initially scared after the incident, wanted to communicate with her so that she could come out of the trauma. One of her classmates told TOI, "Initially, we were scared because of some people in the college who were very close to Mango Da. However, we felt that she needed her friends' support in these tough times. But some of our seniors told us to leave her alone at this stage, so we postponed our plans. We all want her to write the exam as that is the only way to give a proper reply to the culprit.