NADIA: Kalyani University has done the unthinkable in Bengal. It has banned gheraos and sit-ins and made them punishable with a hefty fine of Rs 30,000 or expulsion. What’s more, the campus is now under CCTV coverage to ensure that everyone is on their toes.

Strange as it may sound to a students in Jadavpur and Presidency Universities, where disruptive agitations have become routine, Kalyani University treats indiscipline as a punishable offence. The university has incorporated it in the “rules of discipline and proper conduct of students” adopted by the executive council on May 30, in line with the amended statutes under Kalyani University Act, 1981. The rules empower the university to file an FIR against the accused when most universities still hesitate to call police to the campus. The university can even take action against dharnas and hunger strikes if they hamper normal operations.

It is clear vice-chancellor Rattan Lal Hangloo is on a disciplining drive. The university has installed CCTVs at vantage points in the administrative building and academic heads — including deans of schools and heads of departments — have been empowered to frame supplementary rules to discipline students. This is a significant step considering that a move to install CCTVs at JU in September 2010 was scuppered by a nearly 48-hour gherao of the VC and executive council by students.

“There was no such guiding rule in the university when I took up the assignment. I took the initiative to frame rules that would help the varsity improve its standards in all spheres. Enforcing discipline on campus is only a part of the move. We have also framed guidelines for awarding PhD. The government has always been supportive of the move,” said Hangloo, pointing out that unlike some other universities there has been no disruptive agitation on campus after he took charge.

The Kalyani VC has handed over a copy of the rules to education minister Partha Chatterjee. “Yes, the KU VC is trying to enforce discipline on campus. But I need to go through them and comment how far they can be implemented,” the minister said.

Kalyani University’s bold step has evoked mixed response among universities. While Presidency VC Anuradha Lohia is all for enforcing discipline on campus, she is not sure what steps universities can take against students. “We have no such rules. We had out first governing board meeting few days ago. I will place it for discussion in the next meeting,” Lohia said.

Calcutta University restricts the rules of discipline to examination centres only. “The university may take steps against agitators trying to rake up a ruckus inside examination halls, but only when the exam is on. However, colleges affiliated to the university can decide on the rules,” a CU senate member said.

Rabindra Bharati University is against adopting such rules. “We appreciate the need for discipline. There have been occasions when the university registrar was prevented from entering his office. A university employee once died of a heart attack during a scuffle with students. While the university has autonomy to take steps indiscipline, we are not sure if the state government will help us withstand the pressure from within and outside once we frame such rules,” an RBU executive council member said.

Jadavpur University doesn’t have such rules and has no intention to introduce them. “There is no such clause in our amended Act and statute. In fact, we do not think it necessary to frame rules to ban agitations, such as a gherao or any other coercive forms. Coercion is punishable under the law of the land. There is no need to have rules against it. It is also difficult to anticipate the forms of coercion and prescribe punishment. Instead, steps should be taken as and when required,” a JU official said.