Security, mental health, sexual harassment dominate student-task force discussions
Times of India | 13 September 2025
Kolkata: During an interaction with the Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force (NTF), 52 Jadavpur University students flagged several issues, including security concerns, mental health issues, inadequate support systems, sexual harassment, and caste discrimination.
The interaction took place from 10 am to 12 pm. Of the 52 students, 47 said they were happy on the campus.
The NTF, tasked to look into the mental well-being issues of students in India, interacted with students, officials and faculty members at Jadavpur University on Friday. The NTF on the mental health of the students and prevention of student suicides in higher education institutes was set up by the apex court after a March 24 judgment.
The NTF is chaired by ex-Supreme Court judge S Ravindra Bhat.
"One of the key issues that students pointed out was security problems. We said there was inadequate security staff and they were not given a free hand to enforce rules on campus, like unregulated entry of outsiders," said a student.
Another said that the task force members asked them about the mental health support system on the campus, teacher-student relationships, and instances of sexual harassment and caste discrimination.
"The counselling service at the university is non-existent. The counsellor is judgmental. Students feel uncomfortable visiting the centre. We pointed out that the teacher-student relationship in JU is overall good, but there are cases of exceptions when teachers favour some students," said another student, adding that career-oriented issues are also leading to mental health issues and suicides.
Students also told the task force that they did not want an "apolitical" campus, but there should not be an imposition to come under a political banner or practise ideology.
"Financially weak students, who cannot speak proper English, are also humiliated," said a student.
A source said, "A female student pointed out that she was being sexually harassed by her peer group, while another recounted her experience of facing caste discrimination. Students also spoke about the culture of ragging at hostels." Students also said union polls have not been conducted in five years. A visually challenged student said, "We also focused on infrastructural issues on the campus."
Task force members, during interaction with faculty members, mentioned about skeletal structure of mental health service. A source said, "The team questioned lack of SOP for mental health on campus. They even questioned why teachers are not sensitised properly regarding mental health. It also pointed out anti-ragging banners on campus that do not mention the UGC helpline. The task force, though, appreciated energy of the students and the vibrant campus.
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Pro-VC Amitava Dutta assured the task force that steps would be taken to implement these measures quickly. Aman Ali, a member of the task force, said, "We have discussed with all parties. We have also heard about the tragic death of the student. We will report everything to the Supreme Court."