For past two days, there is an eerie silence in the campus. Before Sunday violence, the campus was a bubbling pot. On a walk, we would see students, animated, a bounce in their steps, in groups or alone, busy with classes, discussion, debate, arguments, sitting in dhabas, or just going about their business.
That was before.
After.
After Sunday, hostels have emptied out. Students are scared to step out. For the first time, it is dawning on us that the campus is no longer safe. Anyone can come in and beat us up.
Sunday night was terrifying. The first intimation I had that something was wrong was when my student called up and send me a WhatsApp message: There are goons on the campus. Please be safe and do not step ou.
Then a colleague called up. She was seeing horrifying images on TV and wanted to know whether I was safe.
It was then I realized that there was something terribly wrong. I called up my students trying to figure out whether they were safe. I was petrified when I could not reach one of them. His phone was switched off. Knowing his penchant for plunging into causes, I asked his whereabouts from other students. None could reach him. We tried frantically to locate him. Finally, another student was able to reach him. All was well. At least for the time being.
We remained huddled within our walls.
Next day I walked to my lab. As usual. Only it was not as usual. Students were nowhere to be seen. There was just an eerie silence. The school was closed down. We were supposed to hold the final exams of the previous semester. It was off. The students were too traumatized to give the exams.
I never thought I would see this day.
One of our student asked me:
How do we respond to this?
My answer:
I do not know. I do not have words.
That was before.
After.
After Sunday, hostels have emptied out. Students are scared to step out. For the first time, it is dawning on us that the campus is no longer safe. Anyone can come in and beat us up.
Sunday night was terrifying. The first intimation I had that something was wrong was when my student called up and send me a WhatsApp message: There are goons on the campus. Please be safe and do not step ou.
Then a colleague called up. She was seeing horrifying images on TV and wanted to know whether I was safe.
It was then I realized that there was something terribly wrong. I called up my students trying to figure out whether they were safe. I was petrified when I could not reach one of them. His phone was switched off. Knowing his penchant for plunging into causes, I asked his whereabouts from other students. None could reach him. We tried frantically to locate him. Finally, another student was able to reach him. All was well. At least for the time being.
We remained huddled within our walls.
Next day I walked to my lab. As usual. Only it was not as usual. Students were nowhere to be seen. There was just an eerie silence. The school was closed down. We were supposed to hold the final exams of the previous semester. It was off. The students were too traumatized to give the exams.
I never thought I would see this day.
One of our student asked me:
How do we respond to this?
My answer:
I do not know. I do not have words.
