The French revolution next door

22 March 2009 has been inscribed into the history of Indian Institutes of Technology by its moniker, the Black Sunday. It was the day we mourned and hesitated not a single time to bring about blatant display of anguish and defiance and warn the apathetic authorities of our solidarity, care, grit and prowess. It was not a mere outburst of emotions of the sudden loss of a friend, but the consequences of accumulation of resentment piling over years.

It was the day people questioned the rampant totalitarianism, challenged the long brewing apathy and corruption and demanded justice for the sake of humanity. The agitation that resulted was not left uncurbed. Rapid Action Force and police were called in immediately to deal with the ‘mob’ of unarmed protestants which also had a large number of girls. But, the presence of some morally sane persons amongst the authority prevented any considerable manhandling.

By the dusk, the director suffered broken glass panes, an inverted car and a defaced garden, with around 2000 students disturbing the tranquility of a nice evening by ensuring their presence in the premises. Above all he was constantly being pressed to bid his dream job goodbye and the adherents showed no signs of being gullible enough to be fooled by the several attempts of false gimmicks.

As with every other IIT incident, it was also ensured this time that press doesn’t make its way into the mayhem, but eventually with the student agility and enthusiasm, it did.

It would also have been better if the media cared to cover the facilities and condition of the infamous B. C. Roy hospital, which is supposed to be the sole health hope of over thousands of inmates or students, if they care to consider us thus. Around a couple of years back a first year boy died there for the lack of a very basic commodity that even rural health centers boast of.

The open house meeting that was organized at 10:00 p.m. spanned roughly till around 11:30 p.m.  and made the scenario perfectly clear to the authorities. It is supposed to be an open forum where the who’s who face the general junta to openly discuss their grievances and answer their queries. The air was heavy with widespread resentment as the giants who chaired the meeting were belittled by a record crowd of4000 students, all riled up and charged. The irrepressible wrath was being aggravated by callous and often reprehensible statements and loose answers from time to time. All doses of pacifism were rebuked and in turn led to widespread chaos. A sudden and disguised exit of the authority personnel was the only way out.

A few top notch personnel at the open house meeting. Body language speaks.

Later that night, it was officially decided that the day next would be a no working day and at 7:00 p.m. in the evening a candle light vigil would be conducted to remember the deceased.

The next day, Monday, the institute was as deserted as the day before. Though some sporadic incidents of class attendance has been reported. Even a dog was found having his day out in front of the training and placement section. The student’s cause was gaining silent support from various quarters of the professors and staffs, right from the non-teaching institute staffs to the mess workers. People could be heard discussing the day before, its culminating causes and its repercussions throughout the academic complex and outside.

At the destination of the candle light vigil

Meanwhile some attempts were being made to prevent students from having any further opportunity to unite.  The  British divide and rule policy has become such a household stuff today. It was found important to call off the candle light vigil on the grounds of possible violence and fire break out. Some were reportedly threatened not to join others were kept from spreading the information about the march and the local area network was also disconnected.  The PAN loop non-final years had similar complaints. By 6:00p.m. it was clearly evident that all such attempts would go futile as students and staffs joined the vigil in large number blowing severely to the face of the deluding authority and its vicious followers. The mammoth turn out of the peaceful mourners starting from Technology students gymkhana and heading slowly towards the Main academic building was something KGP had never dreamt of witnessing before. The vigil concluded with a 2 minute silence period to pray for the soul of the victim of institutional felony.

The lighted up Bidhan Chowk after the candle light march, an event to remember.

The message is loud and clear. The days of receiving are over, the masses are disgruntled and have forsaken their shroud of awe and indifference. Its the French revolution knocking at the doors, Europe will never be the same again.