The Haryana government has been forced to place a private nursing college under emergency administration following three consecutive days of violent clashes between students and police. The drastic step comes amid a deepening crisis sparked by allegations of sexual harassment and voyeurism, which have been investigated with starkly contradictory results by different state bodies.
Government Takes Control Amid Violent Unrest
On Monday, the state administration appointed an executive magistrate to assume control of the Khushi College of Nursing in Kagsar village, Hisar. This intervention was triggered after police reportedly used batons to disperse student protesters who were demanding the arrest of the college director and his family members. The situation had escalated to a point where authorities felt compelled to act to restore order.
To lead this effort, Narnaund subdivisional magistrate (SDM) Vikas Yadav has been named the executive magistrate of the institution. Furthermore, to ensure that academic activities are not completely derailed, Sunita, the principal of PGIMS Nursing College in Rohtak, has been installed as the acting principal of the troubled college.
The government's move followed significant pressure from a local "Khap Panchayat" (community council) which held a meeting at the protest site. The council issued a stern three-day ultimatum to the state, warning of a widened agitation if two key demands were not met: the immediate migration of students to recognized institutions and the arrest of the college management.
Conflicting Official Reports Fuel the Crisis
At the heart of the controversy are two official reports that present completely different pictures of the situation at the college, further inflaming student anger and public confusion.
A committee appointed by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini concluded its investigation and submitted a report on December 17. This government-led inquiry found "no evidence of sexual harassment" at the college. The report also made the claim that more than half of the hostel residents were not participating in the ongoing demonstrations.
In a sharp and scathing rebuttal, the Haryana State Women's Commission documented "serious lapses" in safety and privacy following its own site inspection. The commission's chairperson confirmed alarming findings, including bathroom doors that lacked proper latches. She also alleged that members of the college staff entered female students' rooms without any prior notice, a serious breach of privacy and security.
Students Detail a Culture of Harassment and Neglect
The protesting student body has remained steadfast, describing a pervasive "culture of voyeurism" and systemic neglect within the hostel premises. Their formal list of grievances paints a grim picture of their living conditions.
Key allegations from the students include:
- Privacy breaches and harassment.
- Bathroom doors installed without locks.
- A ladder found positioned near ventilators, allegedly to facilitate "peeping" into private spaces.
- The screening of obscene films in common areas.
- Unauthorized entry by male staff into female bathrooms.
- Insect-contaminated food being served.
- "Filthy" facilities that are not cleaned regularly.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings Initiated
Tensions reached a peak on Monday morning during a scuffle between students and law enforcement. While students alleged that a police "lathi charge" (batons charge) caused a stampede, the Hansi police maintained that two female police officers were injured in the confrontation.
On the legal front, police have confirmed registering a First Information Report (FIR) at the Narnaund police station. The FIR names college director Jagdish Goswami, his wife, and his son, Amandeep, based on the formal complaints filed by the students. This legal step indicates that the allegations are being taken seriously by the law enforcement machinery, even as the administrative takeover aims to stabilize the immediate situation.
The entire episode underscores severe institutional failures in ensuring student safety and welfare at a private educational institution, leading to unprecedented state intervention and a community-wide upheaval in Hisar.
