The reopening comes in the wake of the alleged gang rape of a first-year student on campus, an event that had sent shockwaves through the institution and the surrounding community. As the college reopens, the name of the prime accused, Manojit Mishra, continues to loom large over the proceedings, although it remains unspoken in the charged air of the campus. Mishra, an alumnus and casual employee of the college, along with two senior students, all of whom are affiliated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) students’ wing, was arrested following the incident, which occurred after hours on June 25.

On the first day back, Vice Principal Naina Chatterjee confirmed that only first-semester BA LLB students who had not yet completed their examination forms were required to attend. These students were instructed to come in to complete the necessary formalities. Approximately 100 students, many accompanied by concerned parents, arrived at the gates, which were reopened at 10 am.

The reopening was far from routine, with strict security measures in place to ensure that no further incidents would disrupt the fragile peace. Kolkata Police, led by senior officers, had taken charge of overseeing the campus, while private guards carefully checked the ID cards of everyone entering. In line with the college’s new security protocol, no student was allowed to remain on campus past 2 pm, a stark contrast to the previous routine, where the college would remain open until 4 pm on regular working days.

A teacher at the college explained the shift in timings, stating that the decision was made to ensure greater control and to prevent any untoward situations. “We have taken a conscious decision not to allow rogue elements like Manojit Mishra, the prime accused in the rape case, access to the campus. The entry of outsiders will also be strictly regulated,” the teacher said.

While the decision to reopen was made with the approval of the Kolkata Police, the situation remains fraught with tension. The students’ union room and the security guard’s room, both of which were central to the investigation into the assault, have been sealed by the police and are off-limits to students and staff. The authorities also reminded students to follow their usual class timetable starting from July 8, in hopes of returning to normalcy.

Despite assurances from both the police and college authorities, many guardians remained deeply concerned about the safety of their children. Sasanka Dhara, the father of a first-semester student, expressed his fears, stating, “I have decided to accompany my son every day he has to come here for exams until the situation normalizes. We are scared about our children’s safety.” Another guardian accompanying his daughter voiced similar concerns, questioning how the security system could be trusted when both the guards and the college management were under threat.

The allegations that have rocked the college community have not only raised serious questions about campus security but also about the institution’s ability to manage and safeguard its students. One parent remarked, “I refuse to believe that the top TMC leaders were unaware of the criminal activities taking place on the campus, including the gross misuse of the students’ union room. These miscreants were allowed to operate with impunity because they had the blessings of their political leaders.”

The law student, whose name has not been disclosed for privacy reasons, was allegedly gang-raped by Mishra and his accomplices after the college hours. The victim, deeply traumatized by the assault, and her family have been seeking justice, while the college administration has faced public and media scrutiny for its handling of the situation. Protests have erupted from both students and local residents, demanding action against the accused and questioning the college’s safety measures.

In a bid to reassure the public, Professor Somnath Mukherjee, who appeared in court as a representative of the college, promised that the institution would adhere to strict security guidelines moving forward. “The unfortunate incident involving the law student has created an undesirable image for the institution. We are committed to ensuring that such a situation never happens again, and that all students feel safe,” he said.

However, the unrest continued to escalate as protests grew louder throughout the day. Students and faculty voiced their concerns about the timing of Vice Principal Chatterjee’s arrival and departure, as well as the college administration’s handling of the crisis. These grievances led to further unrest, culminating in the Vice Principal being escorted out of the premises amid growing tension.