Jadavpur University was once again shaken by tragedy after the mysterious death of a student on campus Thursday night. At around 10:20 pm, the body of Anamika Mondal, a third-year student of the English department, was recovered from a pond adjacent to the students’ union room near Gate No. 4.
“A cultural programme featuring folk singer Gaur Das Baul and his troupe was underway nearby, with microphones, music and a large gathering. Amidst the noise, Anamika’s lifeless body went unnoticed until it was seen floating in the water,” said an officer of Jadavpur police station.
She was quickly pulled out, and CPR was administered for an extended period. However, doctors at KPC Hospital declared her dead shortly after arrival. How she fell into the pond remains unclear. Some students claimed her cries for help may have been drowned out by the sound of music and microphones.
According to the preliminary opinion given by the autopsy surgeon, alcohol quantity above average level was found in the stomach of the deceased. “The tragedy appears to be a case of accidental drowning under the influence of liquor. We are collecting statements of her friends to ascertain what exactly happened on Thursday night," said an officer of Jadavpur police station.
This tragedy has revived memories of the 2023 incident when Swapnodeep Kundu, a first-year student, was found dead beneath his hostel building. Police later arrested an alumnus, Sourav Chowdhury, in connection with that case.
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The latest death has sparked a fresh political storm. The Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) alleged that alcohol is consumed freely on university premises and blamed the lack of permanent CCTV surveillance and police posts.
“Two years ago Swapnodeep, today Anamika. Those who oppose CCTV cannot avoid responsibility,” said TMCP president Trinankur Bhattacharya, directly accusing the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M). The TMCP has also demanded a permanent Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Chief Minister.
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The SFI, however, accused TMC of politicising the tragedy. SFI All India General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharya said, “This is very unfortunate. But the political scheming around the death reveals the character of TMC. A student was gang-raped in South Calcutta Law College recently by a TMC leader and his accomplices. There was CCTVs. Why did the incident take place?”
With heated counter-accusations flying between student unions, the university campus has once again become tense. The autopsy report is now awaited to determine the exact cause of Anamika’s death.
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