Baggage scans & metal detector search made compulsory, students protest at Ashoka University

Effective January 17, the AUSG stated that the caller rules made it mandatory for students to participate and exit the field from Gate 2, located 230 m from Gate 1 — the archetypal introduction and exit gross — and required each to spell done baggage scans and metallic detectors. Students indispensable besides bare their pockets erstwhile passing done the detectors, it added.

“This argumentation was a blatant usurpation of pupil privateness and an encroachment upon the rights of students disguised arsenic an effort to amended information and forestall substance abuse,” the AUSG said.

“As students returned (to the field connected the January 17), cases of privateness violations and invasions monitoring surfaced,” it further said. “Incoming vehicles faced invasive searches, including mitt compartment and under-seat spaces… Furthermore, student’s idiosyncratic belongings similar shampoo bottles were sniffed to place alcohol…”

While the protestation began formally connected January 20, the connection said that connected January 19, a radical of students gathered astatine Gate 2 to rise their concerns. The medication responded by throwing h2o connected the atrium level astatine the gross – historically been utilized to clasp protests – to forestall students from congregating, it added.

“Over 120 students person been protesting astatine the medication artifact mundane but we are yet to get a factual reply from the administration,” said a third-year student.

“Today is time 4 of the protest… earlier students utilized to participate the field done Gate 1 but present each students person to participate and exit the field done Gate 2 only,” the pupil added.

In the statement, the AUSG sought enactment and a ceremonial effect from the vice-chancellor (V-C). “The pupil assemblage has conveyed that until substantive enactment and a ceremonial effect is provided by the V-C, on with a municipality hall, the students volition not backmost down from the demands, and volition instrumentality indispensable escalatory steps.”

“However, the protestation volition stay non-violent and peaceful…,” it added.

In a connection to The Indian Express, the assemblage defended the caller measures, emphasising that they were introduced “to heighten information and payment of students and field residents”. “These measures person been implemented successful consultation with module and unit representatives and keeping the pupil authorities and field ministry involved, since information of students and their well-being is of paramount interest to us,” it added.