The ladies' hostel bathroom videos on cell phones episode in Netra Jyoti Paramedical College took a new twist with the Udupi Police, at last, waking up and have filed two FIRs suo motto in this connection. So far Akshay Machhindra, Superintendent of Police, Udupi district was shirking his responsibility of registering an FIR under the pretext that there have been no complaints in this regard. But when the momentum started heating up against the Udupi Police across the state for its failure to initiate action, all of a sudden the cops made a U-turn and acted suo motto.
Two FIRs' filed: In fact, two FIRs' have been filed so far. The first FIR is against the three students bubuShabnaz, Alfiya and Aleema and the Management of the Netra Jyoti Paramedical College. And the second suo motto FIR is against Kal Singh Chavan for making the doctored video adding audio viral on social networking sites and spreading canards raising communal tensions in the society. He is also being accused of spreading rumours that a hidden camera was placed in the bathroom.
Khushbu Sundar visits Udupi: Tamil Actor, Producer and Member of the National Commission for Women Khushbu Sundar paid a two days visit to Udupi to ascertain the facts first-hand. She visited the college, met students, officials and held meetings with police officials. She dismissed reports that a hidden camera was placed in the ladies' bathrooms of the hostel.
Home Minister swallows his own words: Meanwhile, Dr G Parameshwara, state Home Minister was compelled to withdraw his own remarks over the incident. He clarified that he did not mean the development child's play. Some incidents take place during college days, but there is no point in dragging it beyond a limit. But BJP wants to politicise the incident to its advantage.
ABVP, BJP protest: The volunteers of ABVP and BJP protested before the Home Minister's residence in Bengaluru while there were several other protests against the state government across the state. The protestors demanded that the inquiry be handed over either to the CID, CBI or the NIA.
All for wrong reasons: Both coastal districts South Canara (Mangaluru) and Udupi in Karnataka have continued to be in the news for all the wrong reasons for a few decades. Mangaluru in fact, is one of the few cities in the country to boast of road, rail, air and sea connectivity. Despite rapid growth in terms of business, education, pilgrimage and real estate activities the port city continues to be in the limelight for all unwanted developments. It is no better with Udupi, well-known as a temple town.
Hindutva Laboratory: Both these adjoining districts are also being dubbed as laboratories of propagating the Hindutva agenda by the Sangh Pariwar. Irrespective of the government in power, the general law and order situation is always subdued for most part of the year. The earlier regime of Siddaramaiah led Congress party government from 2013 to 2018 evinced the slaying of more than 15 activists belonging to the right wing organizations. As retaliation, several people belonging to the minority were also hacked to death. The worsening law and order situation became a poll issue for the 2018 general elections just like during the 2023 Assembly polls.
From Hijab to fun videos: If political killings triumphed from 2013 to 2018 the subsequent five years of tenure witnessed police firing, unrest and controversies like wearing of the Hijab which drew undue attention not only within the state but across the country and elsewhere. Although the state high court upheld the government’s decision of adhering to the uniform norm, the apex court quashed the same. Moral policing incidents keep happening every now and then whenever a girl of a major community is found with a youth or group of youths belonging to a minority community. Now the latest incident is about cell phones being placed in the bathrooms of an educational institution’s ladies' hostel. Three girls belonging to a minority community and alleged to have been the culprits behind this ugly episode have been suspended by the college management.
Personal, private activities shot: This hitherto unheard development has taken place at the Netra Jyoti Para Medical College ladies' hostel located at Ambalpadi bypass in Udupi district headquarters. The accused three girls belonging to the minority community were into the mischief of placing cell phones in the hostel bathrooms to record too personal activities of girls belonging to the majority community. Later, these videos were alleged to be forwarded to youths of the minority community. The incident came to light following the videos shot in the ladies' hostel bathrooms going viral, allegedly from the three suspended girl students of the college. Following angry protests by other girl students and the ruckus thereby compelled the college administration to suspend the three girls from the college.
College doesn’t file a complaint: Despite a verbal fight between most of the students with the three kingpins of the controversy and a delegation of All College Student Power pressing for action on 22 July, the administration of Netra Jyoti Para Medical College hasn’t filed any complaint to the police till date. Meanwhile, Rachan Saliyan, President of All College Student Power Udupi district has submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police, Udupi district demanding action against the culprits. In his memorandum to the SP, Rachan Saliyan has alleged that the college administration, instead of initiating disciplinary proceedings against the accused has left them scot-free by taking an apology letter. He has also demanded a thorough inquiry, seizure of cell phones from the guilty and action against the culprits.
SP confirms; No Complaint: Akshay Machhindra, Superintendent of Police, Udupi district told a media conference in Udupi that the police have taken note of the videos that have been in circulation in connection with the Para Medical College. However, investigations have revealed that some unconnected footage has been added to the alleged video clips said to be shot in the bathrooms of the college hostel. But so far, no formal complaint has been registered with the Police, he clarified. He also allayed fears in some quarters that the videos shot were forwarded to youths belonging to the minority community and assured that the Cyber Crime wing is actively monitoring the social networking sites for possible mischief in this regard.
Funny videos prove troublesome: Shiva Kumar Karje, President of Karnataka State National Human Rights, Anti Corruption and Anti Crime Bureau of India asserts- “We have been following up with the college authorities, policemen apart from doing our own transparent assessment of the situation once the development came into open. Since, the dignity of innocent girls was of prime importance and kids are kids, whether Hindus or Muslims we did our own internal investigation to ascertain the facts. In the course of personal and confidential meetings with the students and parents, we found out that the crazy idea of some girls trying to do funny videos led to this unnecessary controversy…
…Video of the wrong girl! It so happened that a Hindu girl was trying to shoot with a tripod phone holder, her friend coming from the bathroom. But it turned out to be someone else who walked out leading to an altercation over the issue. But the matter was resolved when it was made clear that the surprise video shoot on the cell phone was for fun purpose and not for any ulterior purpose”, said Shiva Kumar Karje, who also happens to be the Founder of the All Student Power, students’ organization.
Videos not forwarded: Shiva Kumar Karje also opined-“Initially we were sceptical as the college had not formally complained and had our own doubts whether the police will hush up following no plaint to them. It is also simple; no student will come forward to file a complaint to the management risking their career. But that didn’t deter our efforts to find out the truth. Repeated meetings, and follow up with the concerned unravelled the circumstances. We were also contemplating moving to the court as the issue also pertained to the violation of human rights. However, our fears proved otherwise and there was no necessity to approach the legal way”.
-Manohar Yadavatti
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