Patna: Students of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences Nursing College staged an intense protest on Thursday, accusing senior college officials of harassment, unfair academic practices and administrative intimidation.
Around 250 students from BSc Nursing batches between 2021 and 2025 participated in the sit-in demonstration, targeting Principal Anuja Daniel and Vice-Principal Dr Rupashree Das Gupta, who also serves as examination coordinator.
The protest continued late into the evening, with both officials reportedly confined inside their offices until after 9.30pm.
Students Allege Harassment And Academic Pressure
The students accused the vice-principal of behaving in a “dictatorial” manner and deliberately failing students in subjects taught by her.
Protesters alleged that many students were facing severe mental stress and claimed one student had previously attempted suicide.
They also accused the administration of excessive disciplinary pressure over issues such as late attendance, hairstyles and minor conduct matters.
According to students, earlier complaints submitted against the vice-principal had not resulted in any action. They alleged that a written petition seeking her removal from teaching duties had been torn up by authorities.
The students said their agitation would continue until disciplinary action was taken against the principal and vice-principal and until Dr Das Gupta was removed as subject coordinator.
Protest Escalated After Collegium Meeting
Students said they had been seeking intervention from the administration for several months.
A collegium meeting chaired by Dr Vijayendra Kumar was finally held on Thursday to discuss academic grievances and student concerns, but protesters said no concrete outcome emerged from the discussions.
Following the meeting, students from multiple batches gathered outside the offices of the principal and vice-principal in protest.
As the demonstration intensified, students allegedly switched off electricity to the offices by repeatedly tripping the main circuit breaker from outside.
Police personnel reportedly arrived after a Dial 112 call but did not intervene amid the tense situation.
Faculty Members Join Protest
Several faculty members of the nursing college later joined the sit-in in solidarity with the students.
Faculty participants alleged that they too had faced administrative pressure and inappropriate treatment from senior officials.
They claimed complaints had previously been submitted to the institute administration without action being taken.
The institute’s deputy director and chief spokesperson said the matter would be examined but declined further comment.
Vice-Principal Rejects Allegations
Dr Rupashree Das Gupta strongly denied the accusations made by students.
She said the collegium meeting had been held to discuss academic performance and related concerns and alleged that students became disruptive when evidence was presented in response to their complaints.
Questioning allegations of deliberate failure, she said examinations were conducted through multiple-choice question formats, making manipulation difficult.
Dr Das Gupta also claimed she had faced pressure in the past to pass students against academic rules.
She alleged that students vandalised her vehicle, punctured its tyres and held her hostage during the protest.
The students rejected those allegations, accusing the vice-principal of attempting to divert attention from their grievances.
