Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ved Kumari stated that any claims of bullying or mental strain against any student in the name of discipline are without merit.
Another student at National Law University Odisha (NLU Odisha) has died by suicide for the second time in about a year.
Aniraj Mansa Tudu, a fourth-year student from a Scheduled Tribe, has been identified as the student.
The NLU Odisha administration, according to a student who requested anonymity, “are very adamant and harsh and create unnecessary issues for students in the name of discipline,” the student claimed.
Additionally, it was stated that the student body had issues with the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar because of their callous behavior toward students, particularly in times of crisis.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ved Kumari sent her condolences for the tragic student death in a message to Bar & Bench.
“He passed away in an apartment complex in Bhubaneswar, about 32 kilometers from the NLUO Campus. The reasons for the same are not known.”
Regarding the claims of offensive behavior and harassment by the administration, Prof. Kumari stated,
Because neither the student who committed suicide earlier nor this student was subject to any disciplinary action by the university, any claims of harassment and mental stress made against any student in the name of discipline are unfounded. No such rules are imposed without a consultative process, and any disciplinary actions, if imposed, are only done so after a thorough investigation and after giving them a chance to be heard. All disciplinary norms in force at the University have been developed in consultation with the Student Council.
Prof Ved Kumari
Regarding the steps taken by the administration to prevent future occurrences of this kind and to lessen the stress endured by students, Prof. Kumari listed a total of 11 mental health-related projects carried out by the University.
These include sessions held on stress management, suicide prevention, and early intervention; mental health programs; a psychology clinic; and the university’s collaboration with Art of Living, Sri Sri University Cuttack for enhancing the students’ mental and physical health, among other similar initiatives. These services are provided to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through an MoU signed with online counseling platform YourDOST.
The University’s Health and Wellness Committee has been holding regular workshops to teach students how to spot classmates who may be showing Red Flags of mental health issues or who may need support. Students displaying signs of distress are closely monitored by our teachers who live in the hostels as well as by the hostel staff. The response read, “NLUO did not permit any first-year student to stay alone to ensure regular vigil on fresh students in recognition of the increase in mental health issues across the world due to COVID.
Prof. Kumari denied claims that there was a dispute between the administration and the student body.
There is no gap between the administration and students, and the student council is consulted before all university activities are carried out. Consultation with the student council is a university-institutionalized practice. The student council is an elected body made up of student representatives.
The administration, according to the students, has been purposefully hustling up a recent rape incident that happened on campus, which they also reported via email. To this, the Vice-Chancellor responded,
“The claim that a rape incident occurred on campus is wholly untrue. Therefore, there is no chance of the University covering up the situation. When the university learns that one of its students has been a victim of such a heinous crime, it takes all necessary precautions to protect their identity and offers them all the support they require.
Prof. Kumari commented that NLUO has security guards on duty around-the-clock as part of the university’s efforts to make the campus a secure location for its students. The University premises is not open to the general public except on special occasions. Entry and exit of every outsider is recorded and only parents are allowed to visit the students in their hostel rooms. In order to emphasize the value of inclusivity while taking into account the diverse geological, linguistic, cultural, gender, and sexual identities of its students, NLUO regularly hosts awareness programs and workshops.
The University has a number of committees that work to ensure the safety of its students on campus, including an anti-ragging committee, a proctor board, an anti-discrimination committee, hostel wardens, an internal complaints committee, and a gender sensitization committee, among others.
Please call the helplines listed below if you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health issues or is contemplating suicide:
104 Odisha (Health Helpline)
Aasra provides support to people in emotional distress, to people who are struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, and to people who have been traumatized by a loved one’s suicide.
24×7 Helpline: 9820466726
Written By- Tushar Vashisth students of 3rd year BBA LLB at Chandigarh University
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