Thane college student suspended after video shows assault of NCC cadets
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Thane: A disturbing video has emerged on social media showing an undergraduate science student from Bandodkar College in Thane assaulting NCC cadets on the campus of Joshi Bedekar College.
The incident has led to the immediate suspension of the student involved. Joshi Bedekar College in Thane is home to a significant National Cadet Corps (NCC) unit, along with two other sister concerns, Bandodkar College, and VPM Polytechnic. The NCC unit's physical training usually takes place on the Joshi Bedekar College campus.
In the video, reportedly captured by a fellow student, a physical training session is seen taking place on a rainy day at Joshi Bedekar College. Several NCC cadets, all male, are shown standing in a push-up position in a water-logged area, with their feet and head touching the ground, and hands folded above their backs. When one of the boys changes his posture, a senior student is seen thrashing him with a bamboo stick.
Principal Dr. Suchitra Naik of Joshi Bedekar College confirmed the authenticity of the video and stated that the administration has taken immediate action in response to the incident. The student responsible for the assault has been identified as a science stream student from Bandodkar College and has been suspended. Dr. Naik emphasised the importance of students approaching the administration without fear, stating that prompt action would have been taken if the victims or those who recorded the video had reported the incident.
Dr. Naik also stressed the need to sensitise students against aggressive behaviour and announced plans to work on creating awareness in this regard.
While the college administration acted swiftly, the incident sparked discussions on the functioning of NCC units in colleges. Some students and NCC cadets claim that such aggressive behaviour by senior cadets is a regular occurrence, where juniors are expected to follow their orders.
Pradeep Sawant from Yuva Sena, a youth organisation, highlighted the recent transfer of the NCC teacher for this specific unit as a possible contributing factor to the incident. With the absence of teachers, senior cadets may have assumed a more significant role and authority.
In response to the incident, Yuva Sena has written to Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni, urging him to take cognisance of the issue.
The incident has raised concerns about the need for stricter supervision and better training within NCC units in colleges, and authorities are being called upon to address the issue promptly.
