Kolkata College Rape Survivor- As South Calcutta Law College reopened its gates for staff and students, the atmosphere on campus remained somber. The building that once echoed with legal debates and student chatter now carries the silence of unresolved trauma. For the 20-year-old survivor of the recent campus gang rape, returning to normal life is far from reality.
Her father, visibly shaken, described her current state: “She keeps asking, ‘What will happen to me if the monster gets out of jail?’ She’s afraid. Her trauma hasn’t eased.” That “monster” is Monojit Mishra, the main accused, whose notoriety among students and staff alike dates back several years.
Kolkata College Rape Survivor: A History of Intimidation Ignored
Monojit Mishra, known to many as “Mango,” is not just another accused. He’s a former student leader who continued to wield influence on campus even after his formal association with the college ended. Staff, students, and locals allege that he threatened, harassed, and even physically assaulted students for years — especially women who resisted his control.
Multiple complaints and informal warnings were reportedly raised, but little action was taken. The absence of an active student union or a grievance redressal mechanism allowed his unchecked reign over the college premises. It is alleged that Mishra continued to operate from the campus guardroom, making it his unofficial base, even when he wasn’t officially part of the administration.
Campus Resumes, But Questions Remain
On reopening day, only faculty and staff were called in. Police stood at the college gates, checking ID cards and surveying the building. The students were told to return a day later. Still, the air was heavy with regret and disbelief. Teachers admitted they had failed to protect their students. The student union office and security guard quarters — where the assault reportedly occurred — were sealed off.
The psychological impact of the assault is being felt across the student body. Many are afraid to return. Faculty members are grappling with their role in an environment that allowed such behavior to fester.
Institutional Negligence Under Scrutiny
The case has sparked widespread criticism of the institution’s administration and the political culture that enabled Monojit’s unchecked authority. The college, which had previously faced controversies involving violence and mismanagement, had no official student union operating at the time. Yet, informal power brokers like Monojit filled the vacuum, with little resistance.
Access to the campus by outsiders was largely unregulated. Mishra and his group allegedly roamed freely, often engaging in intimidation. Students have described skipping classes out of fear. This was not a sudden breakdown — it was a systemic collapse years in the making.
The Survivor’s Struggle
The survivor’s trauma is not just psychological. It is social, institutional, and legal. While arrests have been made, her family is deeply concerned about potential bail or political pressure. They are calling for a watertight prosecution, protection for the survivor, and reforms within the college system.
“She is scared. She hasn’t even begun to process the legal process or her exams,” her father said. “Our only priority is her recovery and safety.”
Demands for Reform
The tragedy has reignited demands for sweeping reforms in college administration and student safety:
- Strict access control to campuses
- Independent grievance redressal cells
- Mandatory background checks for campus staff and outsiders
- Presence of trained counsellors and psychologists
- Regular safety audits by education boards or women’s commissions
There is now growing pressure on the college to introduce a functioning student welfare body and improve campus vigilance. Political protection for such offenders must be rooted out of academic spaces.
Broader Implications
What happened at this Kolkata law college is not isolated. Across India, student survivors of campus-based violence often face disbelief, character assassination, and procedural delays. This case should not just lead to punishment — it must inspire policy change and institutional reform.
If Monojit Mishra was allowed to grow into the person the survivor now fears, the question is not just who failed — but what systems allowed him to thrive.
External Resources for Context and Support
- University Grants Commission – Guidelines on Student Safety and Anti-Harassment
https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/2827340_Safety-measures-guidelines.pdf - National Commission for Women – College Safety Audit Toolkit
https://ncw.nic.in/college-safety-audit - National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) – Resources for Trauma Survivors
https://nimhans.ac.in/mental-health-resources - Legal Aid Services – National Legal Services Authority
https://nalsa.gov.in
This incident, and the fears that linger, must mark a turning point — not only for South Calcutta Law College but for institutional safety standards across the country. Until then, survivors like her will continue to ask, “What if he comes back?” — a question that no student should ever have to ask again.
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